The Chicago Bears got some major injury news on Wednesday when it was revealed that starting defensive tackle Andrew Billings is going to have to undergo surgery on a pectoral injury suffered in Week 9.
Head coach Matt Eberflus did not reveal the true time table for Billings' return but the expectation is that Big Bill will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
Eberflus never specifically used the phrase "season-ending" as it relates to Billings' injury but with a three-four month recovery window, that's likely the case and it will be a major loss for the rest of the team's defense.
"There's no replacing Andrew," Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington said on Thursday. "And besides that, his leadership. The example he sets every single day in the meeting rooms and on the practice field."
Billings has been surprisingly dominant for the Bears this season as a pass rusher under his new defensive coordinator. According to Pro Football Focus, Billings' 78.6 pass rush grade leads the team and ranks ninth among all defensive tackles.
The Bears moved quickly during the 2023 season to lock Billings down on a two-year extension after realizing how valuable he is on the interior of the front. While his stats don't jump out to the untrained eye, his true value will be noticeable without him on the field going forward.
This creates a big task and hole to fill for the rest of the team's defensive line. Gervon Dexter Sr., Billings' interior rushing mate, will have to continue stepping up, along with Byron Cowart and second-year Zacch Pickens. The team also has Chris Williams on the roster to help replace Billings.
"We'll step up behind him but it's something where you don't replace a person like that, a pro like that," Washington said. "But I have tremendous confidence in the players that will step into that position."
The Bears have already dealt with a few injuries on the defensive front, most notably being without Pro Bowl edge rusher Montez Sweat last week. However, the Bears did a great job constructing the roster to handle those losses and have been rotating their front to help keep everyone fresh and ready to play.
"There's a reason why we have the depth, there's a reason why we develop the depth that we have on this roster," Washington added. "We expect that next person to step in and not be Montez or anyone else, but play to the limit of his ability."
That's going to be a lot easier said than done and we'll see how the defense fairs without Big Bill in the middle of the line on Sunday against the New England Patriots.
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