A right groin injury that becomes more aggravated when John Tait plays left tackle ultimately might help decide where the anchor of the Bears’ offensive line settles.
Tait spent another day Monday at right tackle, a spot head coach Lovie Smith said, “We’re locking into.”
Just a week ago, Smith had left the impression that Tait would begin the season on the left side, but Tait’s input and injury situation might have affected the Bears’ thinking. “[The groin] seems to bother me less when I’m on the right side, so playing more right [tackle] gives it a chance to rest,” Tait said.
The difference involves the way Tait rotates his body when on the right side compared to the left, where bull rushes by defensive ends and kick-out blocks have aggravated the injury.
Smith hedged when asked if there was a date by which he wanted to make a final decision, and Tait isn’t one to push the issue. But, Tait allowed, “The sooner you can get [the same] five guys working together, it’s really beneficial.”
Without naming him, Smith seemed to open the door for Steve Edwards to unseat Qasim Mitchell at left tackle with Tait back on the right side for the time being. “We’re going to let some guys fight it out on the other side,” Smith said.
