As the Chicago Bears take the first step in fixing the offensive line — sending right guard Kyle Long to injured reserve with a hip injury that hindered his play — they’re looking for his replacement.
Among those potential successors are veteran Ted Larsen, who returned to practice Monday, rookie Alex Bars on the practice squad and developmental project Rashaad Coward.
Coward was practicing at right guard with the first string offense Monday, he told reporters.
Larsen, who relieved Long against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4, suffered a knee injury in that same game. Coward took over for Larsen, and he ended up having a solid game. That Vikings contest was the best the offensive line has looked all season.
With Larsen returning from a knee injury, we’ll see who the Bears ultimately decide to go with — the veteran or the project — when they kick things off Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Although Bars, who turned down a spot on the New England Patriots’ roster last week, is waiting in the wings for his opportunity with the Bears.
