NEWSLETTER
In the last two days, the Chicago Bears have seen two offensive linemen return to practice as full participants. Unfortunately, two of the team’s starting linemen remain sidelined completely for the second straight day.
Right tackle Bobby Massie and right guard Josh Sitton sat out for the second straight practice this week. The former was held out of practice as he recovers from a knee injury he suffered in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns. And the latter remains out of action because of an ankle injury that dates back to the team’s Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions. You can check out the full injury report here.
But while the Bears could be without the starting right side of their line on Sunday when they face the Vikings, at least the line’s depth is starting to return.
Bradley Sowell (back) practiced in full on Thursday, marking his return to the field. Sowell, you’ll recall, started at guard until Massie suffered an injury, then spent some time at tackle in Massie’s place. He joins Tom Compton (concussion) as players who have returned to full participation in practice this week. Compton missed Sunday’s win, but if healthy, he could start in place of Massie or Sitton.
Projecting a starting five for the Bears offensive line starts with left tackle Charles Leno Jr., who has played on each of the offense’s 932 snaps, and center/guard Cody Whitehair, who has played in every game and missed just 24 snaps. That leaves three spots open for Sowell, Compton, Hroniss Grasu – or even someone like Cameron Lee, who we discussed this morning.
Tight end Adam Shaheen was limited once again with a chest injury, while safety DeAndre Houston-Carson (back) was also limited in practice.
