The Bears have designated guard Ryan Bates to return from injured reserve, per KPRC’s Aaron Wilson, bringing reinforcements to a Chicago offensive line that has endured multiple injuries this season.
Bates now has 21 days to practice with the team before he must be added to the active roster; otherwise, he will revert to season-ending injured reserve.
Bates signed a two-year, $17MM deal with the Bears this offseason, capitalizing on a league-wide explosion in the offensive guard market. He did not earn the Bears’ starting right guard job out of training camp, but played 38 snaps to starter Nate Davis‘ 18 in Week 1 before shoulder and elbow injuries landed Bates on injured reserve.
Davis only made two more starts at right guard due to a groin injury with veteran Matt Pryor taking over primary snaps at the position since Week 3. Pryor entered the season as the Bears’ backup right tackle, so Bates could push for a spot in the starting lineup upon his return. However, Chicago’s offense has improved in recent weeks with more than 35 points in Weeks 6 and 7 before scoring just 15 against the Commanders in Week 8. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron could opt to stick with his current offensive line instead of shaking up the unit once more.
Starting left guard Teven Jenkins was limited in Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury, so Bates could be a potential replacement if he can quickly assimilate back into the offense this week.
Lucas Patrick 2.0 or viable starter at any of the interior positions? Considering the Bears knew of his shoulder issue before trading for him, Poles’s performance as GM really needs Bates to perform well. If not, how could Poles be trusted to fix their line for next year?
Poles was an OL, surprised he’s sucked at signing FA OLs.
I know, it is surprising! I’m just hoping they invest high round picks like a 1st & 2nd into blue chip linemen next draft.
We only thought they improved, but when it comes to pass pro, they’re the same, lame Swiss cheese group they’ve been since day one.
Really don’t agree totally with that. Bates going down had an effect. Although I don’t think Bates is in any way a C, He could be a valuable swing guard. Now that they’ve identified and cut out the cancerous piece( Davis), I still think there are pieces there but in the wrong places. Wright is solid. Jones is steady at LT. Armagedjie was tossed to the wolves and got absolutely no help from Waldron. He was stellar on run plays( He took out 3 guys on Swifts TD run,Watch the tape), He should have at least gotten a chip from a TE on Pass Pro. The guy hasn’t played and was asked to perform miracles. Borom is a lousy Tackle but I think he could be Jenkins 2.0 as a G. Move Jenkins to RG where he belongs, Put Borom in at LG, Shelton at C and Kramer as B/U and it’s way better. 70 million bucks to spend and those draft picks( As long as they don’t waste them
At the deadline) . Kramer was wasted for 2 years when he could have been playing for Patrick who was horrible. That was stupid. He’s a lousy FB but a fair C and I still trust Poles to make the picks, He crushed the draft this year with a limited amount of picks. Keep them Ryan and don’t go all in on this year, Wait for the game to come to you instead of chasing. Pryor at Swing Tackle and Bates at Swing Guard and it’s solid and deep. Let’s see if Waldron is smart enough to figure it out.
To go a step further, All the mock drafts I’ve seen have all the premier Edge being gone by the Bears 1st round pick. So the Bears should shift and draft the best OT who maybe can also play G maybe early on. Just stay away from the Alabama OL guys. They always seem to be way over drafted. So with that early second round pick you can get a pretty good S. Byard is here next year but getting old and needs a future replacement. Hicks is horrible. I have no idea what Eberflus sees in that guy at all. Owens is so much better than that idiot. With the Bears second round pick you probably have a shot at one of the best C’s in the draft. Jones,Wright, Re sign Jenkins, Bates, Armagedjie, and maybe Kramer are still signed for next year. Shelton? Maybe they can find somebody better in FA for a year? IDK. Add 2 promising rookies, Re sign Pryor ( I really like him) and now you have a deep and powerful OL for Williams. 3rd round -? whatever the best player is. Let Allen walk unless he’ll come back for way less( Doubt it) find a decent replacement either with that early 2nd round pick instead of a S and this team is deep and should compete deep in the Playoffs. If Eberflus doesn’t keep getting out coached his whole life.
In the 60 years I’ve been watching NFL games I’ve never seen offensive holding called on a Hail Mary pass at the end of a game (even when it’s obvious) so Eberflus can’t be blamed for that.
It must have been hard for Ryan to leave the Bates Motel with Rihanna taking hot showers 🙂
He plays for the BEARS but they put a pic of him in a BILLS uniform going against the Bears ♂️ WTF