NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears offensive line shuffle is happening at a dizzying pace, so allow me to slow it down for the interested parties reading this post.
Here goes nothing:
• Starting right tackle Bobby Massie is going to Injured Reserve after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the Saints. Massie is expected to miss a month, but could be back as early as December 6 against the Lions.
• Right guard Germain Ifedi and swing tackle Jason Spriggs are landing on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Spriggs was to start for Massie in Week 9, but tested positive for coronavirus. That takes him out of action for Sunday’s game. However, Ifedi could return this week if he clears the COVID protocols ahead of him.
• Lachavious Simmons rises from the practice squad to the active roster in a corresponding move filling Massie’s roster spot. The Bears drafted Simmons in the seventh round of last spring’s draft. Simmons didn’t figure to factor into things as a rookie. But these uncertain times have called for desperate measures.
• Taking Simmons’ spot on the practice squad is Aaron Neary, who recently visited Halas Hall. As you can tell by the transactions listed above, Neary’s addition is a necessary one. Moreover, Neary joins Sam Mustipher as the only healthy Bears linemen with NFL experience.
Alright, that’s everything. Let’s catch our breaths for a moment.
The only healthy active member of the Bears offensive line is Charles Leno Jr., the team’s starting left tackle. Leno has more experience in the last calendar year than his line-mates have in their professional careers. In other words, the likes of Mustipher, Simmons, Rashaad Coward, Sam Mustipher, Alex Bars, Arlington Hambright, and Aaron Neary will have their work cut out for them.
