The Bears will be without three of their preferred starting offensive linemen this week, but they will have one of their backups available. Alex Leatherwood is coming off the team’s reserve/non-football illness list, The Athletic’s Adam Jahns tweets. The team announced the activation.
Leatherwood has not played since being claimed by the Bears. A mononucleosis bout led Leatherwood to the Bears’ reserve/NFI list, which mandates at least a four-game absence. The Bears had until Nov. 2 to activate Leatherwood, so a shift back to the 53-man roster a bit early would seem to represent a good sign. This will be the Bears’ second injury/illness activation this season; they have six remaining.
Because the Bears designated Leatherwood to return on Oct. 12, he could resume practicing. Chicago claimed Leatherwood on Aug. 31, keeping his first-round contract in the equation after the Raiders bailed on it before his second season. Last year’s No. 17 overall pick, Leatherwood has a long way to go to restore his pre-draft stock — a value in which most disagreed with the Raiders — but he may have an opportunity to contribute with the Bears soon.
Already without longtime left guard Cody Whitehair, the Bears lost center Lucas Patrick and right tackle Larry Borom against the Patriots. Patrick is now on IR, and the Bears ruled out Borom due to the concussion he suffered Monday night. Despite not winning a starting job, Riley Reiff remains on Chicago’s 53-man roster. Reiff would make sense as a Borom replacement; the 33-year-old veteran has played one offensive snap all season. Matt Eberflus did not confirm Reiff would start. The Bears have Michael Schofield rostered as well, with Sam Mustipher set to step back into the starting center role.
Leatherwood, who stands to provide the Bears with some depth, has bounced between tackle and guard during his short career. The Raiders moved him from right tackle to right guard early in his rookie season, but Josh McDaniels‘ staff had the Alabama alum working back at right tackle this offseason. Las Vegas did not see enough from Leatherwood to reserve a roster spot for him, jettisoning the Jon Gruden-era pick.
Can’t wait to see how he does
I’m sure putting him in against the defense that leads the league in sacks will work out just fine…lol.
Steering wheel salesman?
So Bears O-Line coach King was key in the drafting of Leatherwood. He will have a clear understanding in how to use him and his strengths.
Alex Leatherwood can get to the second level and provide key blocks with the proper support. He did not get this with Good in Vegas. Alex could be a great support for Fields on designed runs.
First round picks with “strengths” don’t land on the waiver list after just one season. Even Ereck Flowers did better than that. No harm in being optimistic but it looks misplaced here.
Understand and I agree. However, I do believe that Alex would still be on the Raiders roster if Gruden and Mayock were still at the helm.
Alex was fairly productive in a hinge block scheme that was being deployed but Good was unable to keep up and support. Alex is far from the first player to not find his rhythm in his rookie year or fall victim to a regime change.
I still don’t think the Bears OLine is all that bad. They are starting 2 2nd year guys and 1 Rookie. That’s not gonna help your QB especially when he’s already gonna take off at the first sign of trouble instead of stepping up and holding the pocket. But you can’t make a QB something he’s not. Getsy tried it his way and failed. How long will Fields last doing it his own way? Well he slides like crap, Doesn’t have any feel for people coming from behind and fumbles at an astonishing rate. Sooner or later the fumbles will start going the other way and the Bears will have a decision to make. Is Leatherwood any good? IDK. I still think Borom and Jenkins could be the starting GUARDS for the next few years anyway. Center is a wasteland and needs a serious upgrade and it could just be me but I think Jones could be a Good RT. Maybe not great but at least good. Deal Whitehair, put Borom and Jenkins at Guard, Jones at RT, Sign a LT in FA and spend a high Draft Pick on a C and I think they’re on the right track. See how the other guys fit in as depth pieces. Plus Kramer is coming back next year, Is he any good? Who knows but I think they are on the right track.
“But you can’t make a QB something he’s not”.
If only the Bears had gotten that memo before wasting a fortune on Glennon and Trubisky.
Face it, the Oline is hot garbage, Fields has to run, he has to run for his life almost every play. I like how people critique Fields even though the line is garbage (you also have guys missing blocks horribly allowing free runs to Fields), he has no one to throw to (no separation of the TE/WR from the CBs), and when he tries, they drop the ball…Literally, which have cost the Bears a few TDs and games. Now, could the line improve with experience? Hopefully, but the Bears have been selling that line now for about 10 years. Now, is Fields THE guy? Time will tell, but getting a bit tired of people ready to throw him away but keep this godawful line.
Funny how the godawful line is leading the NFL in rushing. Every NFL team teaches their OT’s that if you can’t stay in front of your man push him by the QB. But when your QB is already running before he even sets up or spins right into the onslaught instead of stepping up in the pocket like he’s supposed to who’s the idiot? The linemen have to know where the QB is going to be to Pass Block and Fields is a chicken with his head cut off. Blame the line all you want, It’s not all their fault.