An offensive line being held together by scotch tape, twigs, chewing gum, and a safety pin continues to be dealt a losing hand.
Because in addition to having three starters injured, two more offensive linemen have landed on the reserve/COVID-19 list:
#Bears OT Jason Spriggs tested positive for COVID-19, source said. In addition, G Germain Ifedi was determined to be a high-risk close contact, and while he’ll go on the list, he does have a chance to be back and play on Sunday.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 3, 2020
Jason Spriggs has tested positive for COVID-19. Spriggs was projected to start at right tackle in place of Bobby Massie. Instead, he’ll go to the reserve/COVID-19 list and won’t play in Sunday’s game against the Titans. Additionally, right guard Germain Ifedi turned out to be a “high-risk close contact” with Spriggs. Hence, Ifedi joins Spriggs on the COVID list. Although, as NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport points out, Ifedi could play on Sunday if he passes the league’s protocol. But even if he does, the Bears offensive line is still a mess.
Seriously … who’s left to protect for Nick Foles and clear running lanes for David Montgomery?
That this news dropped 25 minutes after the trade deadline only adds to the frustration. This could not have been scripted any worse for the Bears, who could be forced to look to the waiver wire for offensive line help. Because, as things stand now, there is a distinct possibility the team could start second-stringers at left guard, center, and right guard, as well as its third-string right tackle. Yikes.