Bears may get Kyle Long back on Sunday
Starting guard Kyle Long could make his 2017 debut Sunday, which would be a godsend for a Chicago Bears offensive line hobbled by injuries.
It may take Long some time to regain his Pro Bowl form, since he hasn't played in a game or been through a full practice since last season's ankle injury that required surgery. But the depth situation up front is worrisome.
Neither of last week's starting guards, Josh Sitton (ribs) and Tom Compton (hip), finished the game, and neither practiced at all in Wednesday's practice.
"Obviously, all hands on deck," said Long, who continued to practice on a limited basis and could play Sunday for the first time this season. "Anybody who's ready to contribute needs to do so. If I'm in that position this week, I'm really excited to be a part of that."
The Bears' training staff has had to force Long to tap the brakes during his rehab after he attempted to over-accelerate the process.
"I was really impatient for a long time," he said. "So they've had to really pull the reins back a little bit ... slow me down.
"It's not something I'm going to dwell on. We're here, it's Week 3 and we're 0-2. I need to get back out there."
Waiting game:
The Bears remain in a holding pattern on what to do about the chest injury that knocked inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski out of Sunday's game.
The second-year player started in place of Jerrell Freeman, who suffered a torn chest muscle in Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve.
"Believe it or not, we're still looking at it," coach John Fox said. "There's different opinions (regarding) time of recovery (and) severity of the injury.
"Fortunately we have some depth there. You never want to lose anybody (but) the whole league deals with that and we'll do the same."
Danny Trevathan, the other starter at inside linebacker, played 60 of 71 defensive snaps (85 percent), and Christian Jones played 47 snaps after Kwiatkoski went out after 16 snaps.
Jonathan Anderson, promoted from the practice squad, played 12 snaps on defense and 20 more (91 percent) on special teams.
Making an impression:
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Bears rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky have the same agent, Ryan Tollner, and the two QBs worked out together in the off-season.
"I thought he was a tremendous athlete," Roethlisberger said of Trubisky. "He could throw the ball. When he got out of the pocket and made throws on the run, his improvising (was impressive).
"I got to watch some of his college tape. Just really impressed with the athleticism, the ease of throwing the ball. It just looked easy to him when he was on the run, when it wasn't supposed to be super-easy."
More injury news:
Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, running back Jordan Howard and wide receiver Kendall Wright were limited at practice with shoulder issues.
Running back Benny Cunningham and cornerback Prince Amukamara were limited with ankle sprains.
Four Steelers starters did not practice Wednesday, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (noninjury related), tight end Jesse James (ankle), offensive right tackle Marcus Gilbert (hamstring) and center Maurkice Pouncey (ill).
Coming and going:
Offensive tackle D.J. Tialavea, who converted from tight end this year, was added to the practice squad.
Tialavea originally was signed in 2014 by the Jacksonville Jaguars an undrafted rookie out of Utah State. He spent the majority of the past two years on the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad. He caught the only pass of his career last season for a 1-yard touchdown.
The Bears lost practice-squad offensive lineman Dieugot Joseph when the Baltimore Ravens signed him to their 53-man roster.
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