Chicago Bears Suffer Critical Setback Before Week One

Almost everything has gone right for the Chicago Bears over the past month. Most of their young players showed steady progress in training camp and the preseason. The retooled coaching staff looks good. They even added extra firepower on defense with Darrell Taylor and Chris Williams. As always, health would be the determining factor in their hopes for a strong start to 2024. For the most part, they've avoided anything significant. However, it appears they won't make it to opening day completely unscathed.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, long snapper Patrick Scales hasn't recovered from a persistent back injury. This puts the Bears in a tough sport, likely forced to scour the veteran market for an emergency replacement.

Nothing is official, but there is a good chance long snapper Patrick Scales will open the season on injured reserve.

Scales, 36, has not played since the Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans when he suffered a back injury.

If Scales begins the season on IR, he would be eligible to return as early as Week 5 when the Bears host the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 6.

Scales' consistency has gone underappreciated by Chicago Bears fans.

They signed him in 2015. Since then, he hasn't missed a single game in his career. This will be the first time ever. Chicago has enjoyed remarkable stability at long snapper for over two decades, first with Patrick Mannelly and then Scales. It will be interesting to see what they do. Cameron Lyons served as their snapper throughout the preseason. He didn't impress all that much, with multiple snaps veering off target. Since they have a rookie punter in Tory Taylor both punting and holding on field goals, it is likely preferable they add somebody who can be more consistent. Jake McQuaide is the most experienced available on the market, having worked with the Rams, Cowboys, and Lions since 2013. Carson Tinker is another name who's found lots of playing time around the league. It comes down to what the Chicago Bears are looking for.