Bears announce multiple roster moves ahead of Steelers matchup, the one many might overlook could have the biggest implications
Chicago Bears made several roster decisions on Saturday.
The Chicago Bears announced a series of roster moves leading up to Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, some expected and some that certainly raised an eyebrow.
To start off, starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has been placed on the injured reserve with a groin injury he suffered in Week 11. Edmunds is expected to miss four to six weeks with the hope that he can return before the end of the regular season. Running back Roschon Johnson was also placed on the IR with a thumb injury.
The corresponding moves, the Bears signed linebacker Carl Jones Jr. and running back Brittain Brown from the practice squad to the actual 53-man roster. The team also downgraded cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon to out after entering the weekend as questionable. It’s some tough news to receive on a Saturday, but another roster decision could hint at another bad sign for Sunday.
LT Theo Benedet’s status will be something to watch leading up to kickoff on Sunday
Something that might have been overlooked on Friday’s injury report was the fact that the Bears listed starting left tackle Theo Benedet as questionable after being limited on Thursday and Friday with a quad injury.
While many might have overlooked it on Friday, it’s something we should pay more attention to leading up to kickoff against the Steelers after the Bears elevated offensive tackle Jordan McFadden off the practice squad, along with tight end Nikola Kalinic.
If Benedet is unable to go on Sunday, the Bears will likely turn to rookie offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo as the starter on the left side with limited depth behind him. The Bears currently have two tackles in Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie on the injured reserve and will go into Sunday with four total tackles after McFadden’s elevation, saying Benedet can play.
Trapilo made his first appearance of the season at right tackle back in Week 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the same game in which Benedet took over the left tackle role. Since then, Trapilo has only been utilized as the sixth offensive lineman mixing in for certain packages, but he’s been impressing.
“Ozzy’s done a good job with everything we’ve asked of him,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle explained. “Anytime he’s gone out there, we trust him and we trust that he’s going to do it the way we’re coaching it during the week. There’s comfort in putting a player out like that.”
If the Bears get into a situation were Benedet happens to be inactive due to his injury, the team seems to have confidence in Trapilo stepping into that role, but it’ll be another tough task going up against this Steelers’ defensive front.
“They’ve got some werewolves on the outside that show up,” head coach Ben Johnson Johnson said of the Steelers edge rushers earlier this week. “When you have both sides that you’re concerned about, that’s where you got to be pretty creative as a play designer to make sure that they don’t affect the game in a negative fashion.”
The good news is, the Bears seem to be prepared for all these situations going into this game and we’ll see if all these contingency plans manage to hold up.
Chicago Bears News
Bears are expected to play the long game when it comes to two standout players returning before the biggest game of the year
Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are not expected suit up on Sunday.
