The news Southern Utah fans were dreading became official this week: Braxton Jones, the starting left tackle for the Chicago Bears, has been placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a knee injury in the team's Week 3 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The move sidelines the former Thunderbird indefinitely and leaves Chicago scrambling to protect quarterback Caleb Williams' blindside.
Jones was hurt in the third quarter against Philadelphia and was listed as questionable to return before ultimately being ruled out for the rest of that game. By the time the Bears' Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets arrived, Jones was officially on IR — one of three roster moves Chicago made heading into that game, with two defenders called up from the practice squad to compensate for the broader crunch.
The timing couldn't be worse for a Bears offensive line that was already operating on thin ice. Rookie Ozzy Trapilo, viewed as a developmental option, wasn't deemed ready to step in as the full-time replacement. That reality pushed head coach Ben Johnson to explore emergency alternatives, including shifting veteran guard Joe Thuney outside to tackle — a position he's played before but not ideally suited for long-term. The line's fragility has even prompted trade speculation, with analysts floating proposals involving Jacksonville Jaguars offensive linemen to shore up the position.
Jones had established himself as a legitimate starting-caliber NFL left tackle out of Southern Utah, a remarkable development for a player from the Big Sky Conference. His absence isn't just a blow to the Bears — it's a reminder of how much weight one Thunderbird alumnus was carrying in the league.
Around the Rest of the SUU Alumni Class
Jones wasn't the only former Thunderbird active in the NFL this week. Safety Miles Killebrew suited up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their Week 4 game against the Minnesota Vikings, a 23-16 loss for Tampa. Killebrew has carved out a long career as a core special-teamer and depth safety, and his continued presence on an NFL roster remains a point of pride for the SUU program.
Elsewhere, cornerback Alonzo Davis remains on the Green Bay Packers' roster, Carlton Johnson holds a spot in Seattle's secondary with the Seahawks, tight end Tanner McLachlan is with the San Francisco 49ers, and wide receiver Isaiah Wooden is on the Cleveland Browns' roster. None generated significant statistical headlines during the period, but the sheer number of SUU alumni holding active NFL roster spots — six in total — speaks to the pipeline Cedar City has quietly built at the professional level.
For now, all eyes stay on Jones. The Bears have not offered a specific return timeline, and with a knee injury landing him on IR, it's unlikely he factors into Chicago's plans until at least mid-season at the earliest. For a franchise trying to take a step forward in 2026, losing its starting left tackle is the kind of early-season gut punch that can reshape a team's entire trajectory.
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