Chicago Bears kicker Eddy Pineiro has been sidelined all season as he recovers from a groin injury, which has provided veteran Cairo Santos with an opportunity to prove he deserves the Bears’ kicking gig.
Santos has connected on seven-of-nine kicks this year and has yet to miss an extra point. He’s doing his part to stay in the starting lineup, which leaves Pineiro’s status on shaky ground.
First, Pineiro has to get healthy. But once he does?
“I think he is still part of our plans, and I think he’s progressing,” special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said. “I get updated by the trainers on that. Looking forward to when he can come back.”
Pineiro’s injury may keep him out longer than even the team originally expected. The Bears added Kai Forbath to their practice squad this week as an emergency option in the new COVID-19 reality.
Pineiro enjoyed a solid first season with the Bears in 2019 when he made 82.1% of his field goals and 93.1% of his extra points. A kicking upgrade wasn’t a priority this offseason, and Chicago certainly wanted to avoid anything close to a kicking competition.
Yet, here we are.
