Tag: Aaron Neary

49ers roster moves: TE George Kittle’s practice window opens

The San Francisco 49ers opened TE George Kittle’s practice window in the first step of getting him off Injured Reserve.

The San Francisco 49ers have opened the injured reserve practice window for star tight end George Kittle. He will now have the next three weeks to practice with the team before head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch must decide whether to reinstate him to the active roster or leave him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.

Opening his practice window before Week 15 gives the team some additional breathing room if they don’t make the playoffs. Kittle’s practice window will close when the season ends, so the 21 days will only come into play with a miraculous playoff run by San Francisco.

Kittle fractured his foot in the 49ers Week 7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but the team has remained hopeful that he could eventually make a return to the field. In 6 games this season, Kittle has hauled in 37 receptions for 474 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The 49ers also signed DL Alex Barrett, CB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, DL Daeshon Hall, OL Aaron Neary and OL Isaiah Williams to the practice squad. Undrafted rookie TE Chase Harrell was let go from the practice squad.

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Chicago Bears sign OL Eric Kush to practice squad

The Bears added some much-needed depth at offensive line with the return of a familiar face in iOL Eric Kush to the practice squad.

The Chicago Bears added some much-needed depth at offensive line with the return of a familiar face.

The Bears have signed interior offensive lineman Eric Kush to the practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday. Kush previously played for Chicago back in 2016-18.

Kush has experience in Matt Nagy’s offense and can play either center or guard. Chicago has released Aaron Neary from the practice squad in conjunction with Kush’s addition.

The Bears have had major issues on the offensive line over the last few weeks, particularly when it comes to injuries. They lost left guard James Daniels a few weeks ago to a torn pectoral muscle, and right tackle Bobby Massie landed on injured reserve with a knee injury expected to sideline him at least a month.

But the Bears also dealt with a COVID-19 scare as center Cody Whitehair and reserve tackle Jason Spriggs both tested positive for the virus, which sidelined them last week. Back-up center Sam Mustipher also missed last Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Although Spriggs has since been activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Bears started Alex Bars at center and seventh-round rookie Arlington Hambright against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, and they were encouraging in their first starts.

Still, Chicago’s struggles on the offensive line remain one of the biggest concerns on this team. It’s been evident in their run blocking — with the Bears the worst run game in the league — and in pass protection — with a statuesque Nick Foles.

The addition of Kush provides a little stability should Chicago’s offensive line struggles continue.

Bears place OL Lachavious Simmons on reserve/COVID-19 list, promote Aaron Neary to active roster

The Chicago Bears continue to suffer blows to their offensive line ahead of an important Week 9 match-up against the Tennessee Titans.

The Chicago Bears continue to suffer blows to their offensive line ahead of an important Week 9 match-up against the Tennessee Titans.

After four players were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list this week, rookie offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons was the latest to land on the list on Sunday morning. Simmons has been ruled out fir the Titans game, and the Bears have activated offensive lineman Aaron Neary from the practice squad in his place.

Simmons joins three other players currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including center Cody Whitehair, reserve tackle Jason Spriggs and safety Deon Bush.

Whitehair and Spriggs both tested positive for the virus this week, and Germain Ifedi was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week after being deemed a close contact. Ifedi has since tested negative for the virus and is expected to play against the Titans.

Bears place RT Bobby Massie on IR, promote OT Lachavious Simmons to active roster

It’s been a busy news day for the Chicago Bears in regards to their offensive line. And none of it is encouraging.

It’s been a busy news day for the Chicago Bears in regards to their offensive line. And none of it is encouraging.

The Bears have placed right guard Germain Ifedi and right tackle Jason Spriggs on the reserve/COVID-19 list. This after Spriggs tested positive for COVID, and Ifedi was ruled to be in close contact, according to Ian Rapoport.

Chicago also placed right tackle Bobby Massie on injured reserve after he suffered a knee injury that’s expected to keep him out at least a month. Massie will miss the next three games against the Tennessee Titans, Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers before he’s eligible to return on Dec. 6 against the Detroit Lions.

The Bears made several moves in response to both events, promoting seventh-round rookie offensive tackle Lachavious Simmons to the 53-man roster and signing Aaron Neary to the practice squad.

The Bears offensive line is going to look quite different when they face the Titans on Sunday, depending on Cody Whitehair’s availability. Whitehair is recovering from a calf injury that Matt Nagy didn’t expect to keep him out long-term.

Here’s what the offensive line could look like without Whitehair on Sunday.

LT Charles Leno Jr.
LG Alex Bars
C Sam Mustipher
RG Arlington Hambright
RT Rashaad Coward

The Bears are down three starting offensive linemen and three of Sunday’s presumed starters have one game or none of experience. Not exactly encouraging for Week 9 against the Titans.