Bears GM Drops Surprising Update on Injured Starting Left Tackle
Chicago's starting left tackle tore his patellar tendon in January, but Ryan Poles says he could be back sooner than expected.
In a surprising update regarding their injured starting left tackle, Bears General Manager Ryan Poles revealed to Hoge & Jahns that Ozzy Trapilo could potentially return before the end of training camp this month. Last season, Trapilo tore his patellar tendon, a common injury that typically requires six to 12 months for a full recovery.
The Bears, who were under head coach Ben Johnson for the first time in 2026, finished with an 11-6 record and secured their first playoff win since 2010, defeating Green Bay in the Wild Card game. Despite the severity of Trapilo's injury, Poles indicated that the team had discussed various scenarios and focused on padded practices to gauge his readiness.
The Bears had also re-signed veteran Braxton Jones and brought in former No. 10 overall pick Jedrick Wills as insurance, showing they were not counting on such a quick recovery. If Trapilo is fit by Week 1 or shortly thereafter, Chicago would regain a crucial offensive line player who significantly contributed to last season's success.
The versatile 6-foot-8, 312-pound tackle, who began his rookie season as a backup and earned the starting left tackle role late in the year, would be a valuable addition to Chicago's roster if he returns in time for the regular season.
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