Chicago Bears rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner is going to be a big addition on a defensive line that has seen several upgrades this offseason.
Turner, who was drafted with the 62nd overall pick, is working back from a stress fracture that held him out of the Senior Bowl, but he played through the injury in his final season at Texas A&M. Last year, Turner totaled 36 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 12 starts with the Aggies. In 2023, Turner was third in the nation with two blocked field goals, showing he can contribute for the Bears on special teams if given the opportunity.
But before any of that, Turner will have to have a clean bill of health. Meeting with the media at Halas Hall after he was drafted, Turner provided an update on the stress fracture in his shin, and it was a positive one.
“Pretty much 100%,” Turner said. “I’ve been training, running, jumping, and going. By the time rookie minicamp comes I should be able to go.”
Rookie minicamp is slated to start in early May, but if Turner can be ready for the start it should put him on a good track to begin his rookie season. Last year, third round pick Kiran Amegadjie was held back as he recovered from a calf injury that required surgery in his final year at Yale. It set him back in his first year, making it tough for him to get up to speed once he was healthy.
As for Turner, his health seems to be tracking well, and that should give him an opportunity to impress the new coaching staff as he fights for an opportunity to play as a rookie.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears DT Shemar Turner provides injury update on stress fracture
Chicago Bears rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner is going to be a big addition on a defensive line that has seen several upgrades this offseason.
Turner, who was drafted with the 62nd overall pick, is working back from a stress fracture that held him out of the Senior Bowl, but he played through the injury in his final season at Texas A&M. Last year, Turner totaled 36 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 12 starts with the Aggies. In 2023, Turner was third in the nation with two blocked field goals, showing he can contribute for the Bears on special teams if given the opportunity.
But before any of that, Turner will have to have a clean bill of health. Meeting with the media at Halas Hall after he was drafted, Turner provided an update on the stress fracture in his shin, and it was a positive one.
“Pretty much 100%,” Turner said. “I’ve been training, running, jumping, and going. By the time rookie minicamp comes I should be able to go.”
Rookie minicamp is slated to start in early May, but if Turner can be ready for the start it should put him on a good track to begin his rookie season. Last year, third round pick Kiran Amegadjie was held back as he recovered from a calf injury that required surgery in his final year at Yale. It set him back in his first year, making it tough for him to get up to speed once he was healthy.
As for Turner, his health seems to be tracking well, and that should give him an opportunity to impress the new coaching staff as he fights for an opportunity to play as a rookie.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears DT Shemar Turner provides injury update on stress fracture
