The Chicago Bears are welcoming back a key contributor to their offensive line this week, as guard Kyle Long was activated from injured reserve.
Long, who has missed the team’s last eight games because of a foot injury, is expected to suit up and play in Sunday’s regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
To make room for Long on the active roster, the Bears have waived quarterback Tyler Bray, and are expected to place him on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Long started out his career as a very durable player, appearing in at least 15 games in each of his first three seasons, but over the last three seasons he has begun to break down, missing a total of 22 games in those campaigns.
Now, he is poised to make his first ever playoff appearance in his sixth season with the Bears, and he will likely slide back into the starting guard job when the postseason begins in the first weekend of January.