NEWSLETTER
Seeing five members of the Chicago Bears offensive line on Wednesday’s injury report would usually send me into a tailspin. However, I am seeing silver linings around dark clouds. Although, I’ll admit I have to squint a little bit to see it.
A banged-up Bears offensive line will be tested, but help is on the way
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem as if offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie won’t be part of the reinforcements en route to aid Chicago’s ailing offensive line. The Hinsdale Central product did not practice due to a calf injury, and Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that he does not expect Amegadjie to play on Sunday. Amegadjie, a rookie from Yale who got his first extended NFL action in the team’s Week 8 loss to the Washington Commanders, appeared to be in line to start in place of left tackle Braxton Jones. If Jones can’t go, then the Bears will need to seek out alternatives.
One such option could be Larry Borom. The fourth-year offensive lineman was a full-go on Wednesday. If I was a betting man, I’d wager on Borom starting at left tackle on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The Mizzou product was a Bears fifth-round pick in 2021. He has 39 games of NFL experience (and 23 starts) under his belt. Borom has played both tackle spots and both guard positions as a pro, which makes him a logical candidate to fill in with a spot start. This could be a tremendous opportunity for Borom, who checks in at 6-5 and 333 pounds, to put out some good tape in the final year of his rookie contract.
Joining Borom as a potential option along the Bears offensive line is Ryan Bates. If you’ll recall, Bates took a majority of the snaps at right guard when he was in a Week 1 timeshare with Nate Davis. But a shoulder injury put him on injured reserve and has kept him out of the lineup since Week 2. Chicago opening the 21-day practice window for Bates on Wednesday could put him on track to play as early as this week.
It is worth pointing out that the Bears have an open roster spot they can use to activate Bates or Borom from IR. But if the team wants to have both on Sunday’s game-day roster, it would need to clear up another roster spot.
Once you get past Bates and Borom, the pickings start looking slim. Are you willing to turn to Nate Davis again? What about Doug Kramer? Jake Curhan (29 games, 9 starts) is the most experienced offensive lineman the Bears have at their disposal on the practice squad. Otherwise, Chicago could call up Austen Pleasants, Chris Glaser, or Theo Benedet if it feels like extra man-power is needed in the trenches.
It isn’t a great situation the Bears find themselves in with an injured group of offensive linemen. Maybe the team could find a trade partner between now and the Nov. 5 NFL Trade Deadline. We’ve seen Cam Robinson go from the Jaguars to the Vikings for a future Day 3 selection. If that is the cost of doing business for a starting left tackle, then I feel as if the Bears should find their way into some trade conversations. Stay tuned.
