It looks like the Chicago Bears will be without their starting center for the final joint training camp practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Shortly after the two teams began drills on Thursday, center Cody Whitehair left the field with trainers with an apparent hand injury via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. The injury appears to be on his right hand, the one he uses to snap the ball.
Buy Bears TicketsCody Whitehair just walked off the field with a trainer after getting his right hand unwrapped. Looks like he’s headed back to the locker room for further evaluation. OL/DL is currently in the middle of 1v1s.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 17, 2023
Shortly after leaving the field, Adam Jahns of The Athletic spotted Whitehair back on the sidelines, but believes the veteran’s day is done. With Lucas Patrick still not practicing, second-year center Doug Kramer is filling in on the first-team offensive line.
Live update: Cody Whitehair has returned. But it doesn’t look like he’s going to continue to practice. Doug Kramer is with the starters https://t.co/vjxe28kRmK
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 17, 2023
With Whitehair out, Kramer will likely get the remaining practice reps with the first-team offense. Kramer was selected by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft but missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury.
The center position has been under the microscope over the last year. After moving on from Sam Mustipher, the Bears opted to shift Whitehair back to center this offseason. The longest-tenured Bear has spent the last few seasons at guard, but is working to develop a rapport with quarterback Justin Fields this spring and summer ahead of his eighth season in the league.
It’s unclear if Whitehair will need to miss time with this injury but he could miss the team’s next preseason game against the Colts this Saturday at 6 pm CT. Stay tuned to Bears Wire as more information becomes available.
