After signing him to an offer sheet in March of 2022 and acquiring him via a trade two years later, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles hopes to finally see offensive lineman Ryan Bates make an impact for the Navy and Orange on Sunday.
Earlier today, the Bears activated Bates off the injured reserve list, and the expectation is that he’ll, at the very least, dress on Sunday. Considering all the injuries along Chicago’s offensive line, there’s a spot for Bates to start, but during Matt Eberflus’ time as head coach, he’s been reluctant to insert a fresh from injury player into the starting o-line.
Bates played 38 snaps as a reserve against the Titans in week one after coming back from an offseason injury, but he was placed on injured reserve the following week with shoulder and elbow ailments.
The Bears are missing both starting tackles, so kicking Matt Pryor out to right tackle opens the right guard spot up for Bates, but they could also insert Nate Davis at guard. Another option is leaving Pryor at right guard and letting Jake Curhan, who was just elevated from the practice squad, play right tackle.
With Noah Sewell questionable for tomorrow’s game against the New England Patriots, the Bears also elevated rookie linebacker Carl Jones Jr. from the practice squad.
