NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears’ roster shuffle continues with a new face in the mix along the offensive line.
Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports the Bears will call up offensive lineman Cameron Lee to the active roster from the practice squad. The expected move comes a day after John Fox said the team would possibly shut down starting right guard Kyle Long, who missed the second half of Sunday’s loss against the San Francisco 49ers with a shoulder injury.
It’s possible the Bears go through with putting Long on injured reserve, a move that would be a short-term blow to an offensive line that was believed to be a strength coming into the 2017 season. It could also be bad new for a group tasked with protecting rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky and creating holes for Pro Bowl running back Jordan Howard. But the three-time Pro Bowler’s long-term health should take priority, especially in a year where he’s fighting through various injuries to play every week. So while he’s missed time this year due to injuries, Long’s toughness should go unquestioned.
And if the Bears choose to place Long on IR, Lee is an ideal player to elevate to the active roster.
Lee signed with the practice squad back in September after spending time in the preseason with the New Orleans Saints and Cincinnati Bengals. He was born in Danville, Ill., was a three-sport athlete at Oakwood High School, and played his college ball at Illinois State. His NFL.com draft profile had Lee projected to be taken in the sixth or seventh round, with strengths including long arms (33-7/8″) and the ability to play with “some upper body ‘wrestling strength’ when it’s time to maul.”
Lee checked in at 6-foot-5, 312 pounds, giving him the ideal size and physical attributes to play at the next level. Considering the fact he has been with the team since September and the injuries suffered by Bears linemen throughout the season, we could see Lee on the active gameday roster at some point before the season ends.
