In addition to losing a key defensive lineman, the Bears have lost a starter on the offensive line as well. Guard Matt Slauson tore his pectoral and is out for the year, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
It’s more bad news for the Bears, who also lost defensive end Lamarr Houston in yesterday’s blowout loss to the Pats. Slauson came to the Bears on a one-year deal in March of 2013. Over the winter, the former Jets guard inked a new four-year deal to stay in Chicago for the long-term. Slauson’s deal gave him a yearly salary of $3.2MM per year with $3.9MM essentially guaranteed at signing. If the Bears decide to release Slauson this winter, they’d save roughly $2MM in cap room for 2015.
Slauson started 16 games in each of his previous seasons, three with the Jets and one with the Bears.