MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. – Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long rejoined the team but was held out of Thursday night’s practice after undergoing extra treatment on his surgically repaired right ankle.
Long, who was kicked out of Monday’s practice for fighting, was excused Wednesday because of a doctor’s appointment.
“He had some treatment,” Bears coach John Fox said. “The doctor that did his surgery was in the area. It was actually pretty convenient. We actually planned it about a week ago. So, it just timed that way. It went well. We held him back today. The treatment they did usually requires 24 hours off but he feels a lot better and we’re excited to get him going again.”
With Long sidelined/limited, Fox said the Bears have experimented with moving last year’s starting center Cody Whitehair to left guard and playing former third-round pick Hroniss Grasu at center. Guard/center Taylor Boggs has also received some reps throughout camp.
“We’ve run [Grasu] with the first team in camp and in Bourbonnais, so there is flexibility we need in the line,” Fox said. “We’ll see how it goes and how we start [against Arizona on Saturday]. That [Grasu at center and Whitehair at left guard] could be a possibility.”
Ideally, the Bears begin the regular season with Long at left guard, Whitehair at center and veteran Josh Sitton at right guard. But Chicago is clearly lining up its contingency plan.
