Sometimes a team can’t seem to buy a break in terms of injuries. For the Chicago Bears, it’s becoming apparent they have a serious bug haunting them on the offensive line. Especially the tackle position. Before practices in training camp even began, they were down both projected starters in Teven Jenkins (back) and Germain Ifedi (hip). Neither has returned since. Elijah Wilkinson soon joined them on the COVID-19 list.
Now it somehow got even worse. Rookie 5th round pick Larry Borom it out too, having suffered a concussion in the team’s most recent practice. This is ill-timed for him because reports kept surfacing that he was playing quite well. This means the Bears are now down their top four offensive tackle. This with just over a week to go before their first preseason game. One can be forgiven if panic starts to set in.
Updated #Bears injury list:
Tashaun Gipson (groin)
James Daniels (quad)
Michael Joseph (hamstring)
Josh Woods (quad)
Artie Burns (quad)
Robert Quinn (back)
Badara Traore (knee)
Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring)
Larry Borom (concussion)
Desmond Trufant (hamstring)— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 6, 2021
The timing of this could be seen in one of two ways.
Beneficial since it’s happening right now. Better to get these injuries out of the way in August rather than the regular season next month. At the same time, the Bears have two new quarterbacks they want to evaluate in Andy Dalton and Justin Fields. Doing that will be incredibly difficult if they can’t trust the protection in front of them. This is exactly the sort of problem the team was trying to avoid all offseason.
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Wilkinson might be back this Sunday given recent rumors that the COVID-19 situation was due to a false positive test. Even so, it’s fair to wonder if the Bears brass may have a counter move in mind. They almost have to sign somebody to shore up the tackle spots. Right now they’re looking at Alex Bars and Arlington Hambright as the only solutions they have left. Both of them are projected as guards this season.
Chicago Bears can’t seem to avoid this issue
This problem at tackle goes back to 2020 when Bobby Massie missed most of the season with injuries. They just can’t seem to keep guys healthy at that spot. It makes what Charles Leno Jr. accomplished seem all the more impressive. No doubt a number of fans are wishing the Bears hadn’t released him earlier this offseason. It’s too late to have regrets though. This team needs solutions fast.
There are few options on the open market that would seem appealing. The biggest names include Russell Okung, Jason Peters, and Rick Wagner. Okung has had some health issues of his own the past few years but is solid when on the field. Peters is 39-years old. Wagner played really well last season in Green Bay but there are rumors he’s considering retirement. The same goes for ex-Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Mitchell Schwartz.
Beyond them?
Demar Dotson and Sam Young are a couple of guys who at least bring experience. Marshall Newhouse as well. One has to imagine the Chicago Bears will make a move within the next 24 hours. If they don’t? That likely suggests they feel one or two of the guys now on the shelf will be returning shortly.
