Chicago Bears left tackle Jermon Bushrod’s availability for Sunday’s game is in jeopardy after he suffered a knee injury in Wednesday’s practice.
Bushrod had one of his knees rolled up on during the session, according to three people with knowledge of the situation. Bushrod’s injury is not believed to be season-ending, and the Bears continue to evaluate how much time he’ll miss.
Coach Marc Trestman on Thursday would not discuss mechanics of the injury. He said only that Bushrod went to the ground. One person described it as a scary moment.
“It’s an unfortunate incident,” Trestman said. “Certainly, we don’t want to get anybody hurt. It happened accidentally in practice. That makes all of us uncomfortable, but we have to move forward.”
Losing Bushrod would be the latest blow to an offensive line that has not played a full game with its first-stringers through the first month of the season.
Left guard Matt Slauson and center Roberto Garza each has missed the last three games with a high ankle sprain. They returned to practice this week and hope to play in Sunday’s road game against the Carolina Panthers.
Bushrod has started 80 consecutive regular season and postseason games. He hasn’t missed a start since 2009.
“He quietly does his job each and every week,” quarterback Jay Cutler said. “Most teams you go against have a defensive end or somebody who specializes to get to the passer, and Bushy over there just takes care of guys. You don’t have to worry about it. You know the left side is locked up and let’s worry about what’s inside.”
Rookie Michael Ola was at left tackle during the portion of practice that was open to reporters. Ola started the last three games at left guard, while Slauson recovered from his left ankle sprain.
Slauson’s return to game action would free Ola to replace Bushrod.
“We are working through this problem by moving people around,” Trestman said.
Quick feet and fluidity are imperative when playing tackle because of the space on the edge, Ola said after Thursday’s practice.
“You’ve got quicker guys there,” he said. “They’re able to (go) in and out, put the foot in the ground, make a decision. They’re able to counter really quick. The speed is just a lot different when you’re inside, so you have to be able to flow and stop those guys.”
