Bears center Will Montgomery looks to be out the rest of the season
Chicago Bears center Will Montgomery will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken leg, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Bears achieved their first win of the season on Sunday with a 22-20 victory over the Oakland Raiders after quarterback Jay Cutler returned as the starter.
Montgomery fractured his left tibia in the first quarter on Sunday, and he is now expected to be added to the Bears’ injured-reserve list. He was signed by the Bears this offseason to replace Roberto Garza, who was released after a 10-year stint in Chicago.
The 32-year-old center previously had starting experience with the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos before signing a one-year, $950,000 contract with the Bears. The Bears moved on with left guard Matt Slauson as their starting center, but it remains to be seen whether they will move him back to left guard and add a free agent at center.
Patrick Omameh took over at left guard after Montgomery’s injury, and third-round rookie Hroniss Grasu still has yet to make his NFL debut. The Bears are likely to add depth to their offensive line regardless of whether their newest signing will become a starter.
Bringing back Garza may be the perfect solution for the Bears since he is still a free agent, and he would bring familiarity and leadership to the Bears’ offensive line. Maintaining depth on the offensive line will be crucial, considering that Cutler just returned from a hamstring injury.
The Bears will be taking on a major challenge next week, as they will play the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have one of the fiercest pass rushes in the NFL with outside linebacker Justin Houston leading the way after leading the NFL in sacks with 22 last season.
More from NFL
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Chargers loosen grip on checkbook to pay Justin Herbert: Best memes and tweets
- Patriots backup plan for DeAndre Hopkins is a shot in the dark
- Raiders: Saquon Barkley’s new contract may have screwed over Josh Jacobs