NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears will be taking their talents west for the season-opener on Sunday Night Football. But they’ll do so without one of their top defensive linemen.
We have elevated Josh Woods & Damion Square from the practice squad to the active roster for #CHIvsLAR. Eddie Goldman has been ruled out. https://t.co/ZObnbWM4Lp
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 11, 2021
Nose tackle Eddie Goldman won’t play in Sunday’s game against the Rams. Goldman suffered a knee injury on Monday, then didn’t practice all week. Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy was trying to feign optimism on Friday, saying he’d see how Goldman looked later before making a designation. But with the Bears bringing in a pair of defensive linemen onto the practice squad in lieu of Goldman’s injury news, the writing was on the wall.
With Goldman out of action, the Bears promoted Damion Square from the practice squad. Square will serve as the backup nose tackle, while rookie Khyiris Tonga likely slides into the starting role. Also getting elevated from the practice squad is linebacker Josh Woods. With Danny Trevathan on the short-term IR list to start the year, expect the Bears to use practice squad promotions to help that group — particularly in a special teams capacity while Alec Ogletree fills in as a starter.
Losing Goldman is a bummer, to be sure. Playing run defense without your top space eater in the middle is a heckuva challenge for Week 1. But the Bears dealt with his absence last year while he was sitting out due to COVID-19 concerns. So this team should know how to handle itself if Goldman is out awhile.
