Oct. 28--Heading into their off week at 3-5, the Bears find themselves with a lengthy to-do list in their ongoing effort to revive their struggling offense. And on that front, significant changes are coming soon to the offensive line.
On Monday the team learned that starting left guard Matt Slauson was lost for the season with a torn right pectoral muscle, an injury the veteran suffered in the second half of Sunday's 51-23 loss to the Patriots. According to general manager Phil Emery, Slauson won't need surgery but is facing a recovery timetable of three to four months.
That leaves the Bears to again shuffle their offensive line, and coach Marc Trestman suggested Monday that second-year lineman Jordan Mills could move inside to take over for Slauson.
Mills started the first 23 games of his career at right tackle before he missed Sunday's game with soreness in his right foot.
Michael Ola started at right tackle against the Patriots and is in line to retain that role when the Bears return to face the Packers in Week 10.
"We're going to look at everything over the next couple of days and talk about it through the weekend," Trestman said.
Mills had struggled in his previous two games against the Falcons and Dolphins. So it will be interesting to see how Trestman and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer implement a role change. Eben Britton filled in for Slauson at left guard during Sunday's second half.
Ola, meanwhile, has now started six games in emergency duty -- three at left guard, two at left tackle and one at right tackle, showing his versatility. So even with a push to move Mills to guard underway, Trestman understands he'll have flexibility on his side for however he reshuffles the line.
"I'm leaving that open-ended," he said. "We'll see where that goes."
Briggs update: After missing three consecutive games with an injury to his ribs, linebacker Lance Briggs is expected back against the Packers on Nov. 9.
Briggs was a limited participant in all three practices last week but was inactive against the Patriots.
He injured his ribs in the Bears' Week 5 loss at Carolina, and while the Bears have said there was no fracture, swelling has been the major issue for the linebacker.
Said general manager Phil Emery: "It just had not calmed down to the point where he felt like he could tackle and play at his optimal level."
Deal or no deal? Emery said he had no plans to make any deals before the NFL's Tuesday afternoon trade deadline. The GM said he had listened to a couple of proposals from other teams but found "nothing that helps the Bears win now."
"We're not quitting on the season," Emery said. "We're not quitting on ourselves. We've got a lot in front of us. The first step is to win a football game."
