The Bears may be getting a big lift at just the right time on the left side of their offensive line.
Ozzy Trapilo moved from limited work on Wednesday and Thursday to a full participant on the team’s final injury report of the week before the divisional matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. That does not guarantee a start, but it does point to him being available, which is a major step after his recovery.
Chicago opened the season with Braxton Jones at left tackle in Week 1, and he held up better than expected. Even so, the Bears seem aware that the situation can turn quickly if Jones slips back into shaky form.
Trapilo’s return looked unlikely not long ago. He was expected to miss most - if not all - of last season after tearing his patellar tendon late in the year, yet he avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list and could be back as early as Week 2.
That leaves Chicago with a few possible paths. The Bears could bring him along gradually and use him for a handful of snaps at first. Or they could continue the appearance of a competition and eventually hand him the job over Jones.
Either way, the timing matters for an offensive line that ranked 18th in pass-block win rate in the season opener at 48 percent, according to ESPN. Jones allowed just two pressures and wasn’t flagged, but the Bears clearly view Trapilo as a longer-term answer on the edge.
With Joe Thuney added and Darnell Wright extended, Chicago has already made major changes up front. Getting Trapilo back in the mix would go a long way toward protecting Caleb Williams and stabilizing the blind side for years to come.
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