Chicago Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long is eligible to be activated from injured reserve next week, and head coach Matt Nagy says there is a possibility he could return to the practice field this week.
Long, who was placed on injured reserve in early November with a tendon injury in his foot, would be a big addition to an offensive line that has been having one of its best seasons in recent memory, with Cody Whitehair and Charles Leno Jr. both being named as Pro Bowl alternates on Tuesday.
Long suffered the injury during the Bears’ win over the New York Jets earlier this season, and has missed the team’s last seven games.
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NFL rules stipulate that two players can come off of injured reserve and return to their team’s roster per season, and tight end Adam Shaheen was the first to do so earlier this season. If Long is unable to return for the Bears in their Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings, he would still be eligible to play for Chicago in their first round playoff game.
