:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61018799/usa_today_10839417.0.jpg)
In the latest installment of the James Daniels positional drama, The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain reported on Saturday that the Chicago Bears rookie will start at center in today’s matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Daniels had reportedly been receiving snaps at center with the second team offense last week, but has been listed on the depth chart at the left guard position. The news of his positional change comes in wake of Matt Nagy’s decision to sit most of the team’s starters in the first Bears home game of the preseason. He mentioned that the Bears having their best week of practice of the new year influenced the decision, but one would figure that injuries to the likes of Adam Shaheen and Leonard Floyd also played a factor in their decision to sit starters.
One of the regular starters who will still play against the Chiefs is Eric Kush, as the current starting left guard. Kush is ahead of Daniels on the depth chart at the moment and is staying in the lineup. Daniels will presumably overtake Kush in the starting lineup to start the regular season, which is likely the explanation as to why the veteran is playing today.
Whether or not the decision to start Daniels at center today is the catalyst towards the permanent switch that many have been clamoring for is, for the time being, fairly improbable. Nonetheless, the 2018 second round pick will have a chance to prove his versatility, and prove himself worthy of taking over as the starting center against Kansas City.
Jacob Infante is a Chicago Bears and NFL Draft writer at SB Nation’s Windy City Gridiron. He also covers the NFL Draft for USA Today SMG’s Draft Wire. He can be reached through Twitter @jacobinfante24 or emailed at jacobinfante1208@gmail.com.