Tag: Alex Bars

Every Notre Dame player currently on an NFL training camp roster

Lots of former Irish talent in the NFL

Part of being an alumnus of a supremely successful collegiate football is seeing them getting an opportunity at the next level. For Notre Dame, the list of former players getting their shot in the NFL is large, very large. Find out below every former Irish star (in alphabetical order) and which NFL team they are with in training camp.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

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4 players from Raiders-Jaguars Hall of Fame Game the Texans should consider

The Houston Texans should consider these four players from the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game to add to the team after 53-man cuts.

The Las Vegas Raiders gave new coach Josh McDaniels a happy homecoming to Canton, Ohio, as they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-11 Thursday night in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Other than finding solace in a Jacksonville loss, the Houston Texans can also benefit from this game by finding some potential gems who may not make the Jaguars or Raiders 53-man roster.

Many of the players who participated in Thursday night’s commemorative game will have to be cut and Houston is certainly not in a position to say no to taking chances on players with potential. Below are four players that either played well tonight, fit a position of need or would excel in Houston’s scheme.

 

Raiders sign former Bears OL Alex Bars

Raiders add competition along the OL with addition of former Bears OL Alex Bars

No question the Raiders have needs all along the offensive line. Though through the first day of free agency, despite a slew of reported new additions, none of them were offensive linemen. Day two saw them add the first, signing former Bears OL Alex Bars.

The 6-5, 334-pounder was originally an undrafted free agent tackle out of Notre Dame in 2019. He spent three years in Chicago, appearing in 38 games with 11 starts.

In 2020, Bars would start the final eight games, moving around the line. His first start came at center, then right tackle, then finally settling in at right guard for the final six games. He played 100% of the snaps in each of those starts.

His three starts last season were as an extra tackle in jumbo packages.

The Raiders could see him as competition at multiple positions, including their vacancy at right tackle. Though the team could also use depth and competition at all three interior offensive line spots.

Bears re-sign several exclusive rights free agents

The Bears took care of some of their own re-signing several exclusive rights free agents, including Alex Bars, Josh Woods and J.P. Holtz.

The Chicago Bears announced Wednesday that they’ve re-signed five exclusive rights free agents, including offensive lineman Alex Bars, inside linebacker Josh Woods, outside linebacker James Vaughters, running back Ryan Nall, and tight end J.P. Holtz.

Exclusive rights free agents are players with fewer than three accrued NFL seasons and were only permitted to negotiate and sign with their own team.

Bars has become a promising prospect on the Bears offensive line last season, where he started the final eight games — at center, left guard and mostly right guard — as well as Chicago’s wild-card game against the Saints at right guard. He’s a part of a promising interior of the offensive line heading into 2021, alongside fellow undrafted Notre Dame teammate Sam Mustipher.

Woods, a former undrafted free agent out of Maryland, played in 15 games last season — as a reserve — and tallied 14 total tackles on defense and seven stops on special teams. He filled in at linebacker when starter Roquan Smith suffered an elbow injury in the regular-season finale.

Vaughters, Nall and Holtz have also become key reserves for the Bears, as well as on special teams.

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Notre Dame in the NFL: Highlights and photos of week 16 action

A look back at the best performances from Notre Dame football alumni in the NFL from week 16.

The NFL is winding down but that doesn’t mean that former Notre Dame stars aren’t still doing work in The League. This past week 16 showed that to be the case, with multiple past Irish stars putting up some big performances over the course of the weekend. Take a look highlights and pictures of the best games from ex-Notre Dame stars.

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.

Veteran offensive lineman Eric Kush visiting the Bears

To help with some of the uncertainty on the offensive line, the Bears are bringing in veteran interior lineman Eric Kush for a visit.

The Chicago Bears offensive line is a mess. And I’m not just referring to the unit’s performance on the field.

The Bears have dealt with a rash of injuries and COVID-19 struggles that has the projected offensive line in doubt heading into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

To help with some of the uncertainty, the Bears are bringing in veteran interior offensive lineman Eric Kush for a visit. As Bears fans know, Kush previously played for Chicago back in 2016 and 2018.

The Bears could be without four offensive starters against the Titans, where left tackle Charles Leno Jr. is the only starter that’s projected to be good to go for Sunday. Left guard James Daniels is done for the season with a torn pectoral muscle while right tackle Bobby Massie is on injured reserve at least for the next three weeks with a knee injury.

Then there’s the case of center Cody Whitehair, who at first was questionable because of a calf injury. But that’s the least of his worries now. Whitehair joins reserve swing tackle Jason Spriggs as the second member of the Bears’ active roster to test positive for COVID-19, and both of them are out for Sunday. Right guard Germain Ifedi, who was dubbed a close contact, tested negative for COVID, and coach Matt Nagy believes Ifedi could be good to go against the Titans.

Undrafted free agent Sam Mustipher got his first start last Sunday in place of the injured Whitehair, where he played solid at center. But Mustipher is dealing with a knee injury, which leaves the Bears down two centers. Which is where the addition of Kush would be beneficial. If not, expect Alex Bars to get the nod while seventh-round rookie Arlington Hambright would get the nod at guard while Rashaad Coward swings out to right tackle.

No one knows what this Bears offensive line is going to look like come Sunday. Not even Nagy and the Bears.

Veteran offensive lineman Eric Kush visiting the Bears

To help with some of the uncertainty on the offensive line, the Bears are bringing in veteran interior lineman Eric Kush for a visit.

The Chicago Bears offensive line is a mess. And I’m not just referring to the unit’s performance on the field.

The Bears have dealt with a rash of injuries and COVID-19 struggles that has the projected offensive line in doubt heading into Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

To help with some of the uncertainty, the Bears are bringing in veteran interior offensive lineman Eric Kush for a visit. As Bears fans know, Kush previously played for Chicago back in 2016 and 2018.

The Bears could be without four offensive starters against the Titans, where left tackle Charles Leno Jr. is the only starter that’s projected to be good to go for Sunday. Left guard James Daniels is done for the season with a torn pectoral muscle while right tackle Bobby Massie is on injured reserve at least for the next three weeks with a knee injury.

Then there’s the case of center Cody Whitehair, who at first was questionable because of a calf injury. But that’s the least of his worries now. Whitehair joins reserve swing tackle Jason Spriggs as the second member of the Bears’ active roster to test positive for COVID-19, and both of them are out for Sunday. Right guard Germain Ifedi, who was dubbed a close contact, tested negative for COVID, and coach Matt Nagy believes Ifedi could be good to go against the Titans.

Undrafted free agent Sam Mustipher got his first start last Sunday in place of the injured Whitehair, where he played solid at center. But Mustipher is dealing with a knee injury, which leaves the Bears down two centers. Which is where the addition of Kush would be beneficial. If not, expect Alex Bars to get the nod while seventh-round rookie Arlington Hambright would get the nod at guard while Rashaad Coward swings out to right tackle.

No one knows what this Bears offensive line is going to look like come Sunday. Not even Nagy and the Bears.

Bears offensive line is an even bigger mess heading into Week 9

Offensive line has been one of the biggest concerns for the Bears this season. Now, there’s a new struggle: Injuries.

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Offensive line has been one of the biggest concerns for the Chicago Bears this season. And that was when all five starters were in place on the line. But now, the Bears are facing a new struggle on the offensive line: Injuries.

A couple of weeks ago, the biggest concern was left guard James Daniels’ season being cut short with a torn pectoral muscle. Now, center Cody Whitehair’s status is up-in-the-air as he recovers from a calf injury that Matt Nagy doesn’t expect to be long-term.

Then right tackle Bobby Massie suffered a knee injury against the Saints, and he was placed on injured reserve where he won’t be eligible to return until Dec. 6 against the Detroit Lions.

For the longest time, the concerns on the offensive line stemmed from the performance on the field, where they struggled in run blocking and pass protection. Things couldn’t possibly get worse for the unit.

But then Tuesday happened.

Offensive tackle Jason Spriggs tested positive for COVID-19, and right guard Germain Ifedi was said to be one of those in close contact with him. Both were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, although it’s still possible Ifedi could suit up for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

As a result of both Massie being placed on IR and the COVID scare, the Bears promoted seventh-round rookie Lachavious Simmons to the active roster and signed Aaron Neary to the practice squad.

If Ifedi can’t go, as expected, here’s what the Bears’ offensive line could look like on Sunday:

Left tackle Charles Leno Jr.
Left guard Alex Bars
Center Sam Mustipher
Right guard Arlington Hambright
Right tackle Rashaad Coward

To make matters worse, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported that center Sam Mustipher, who was filling in for Whitehair, played through an injury suffered against the Saints, and Mustipher is expected to miss some time, which means things could look a whole lot different depending on the status of Whitehair and Mustipher.

There’s no doubt that the offensive line will be a major storyline to follow this week heading into Sunday’s game against the Titans. And an already-struggling offensive line could look a whole lot worse come Week 9.

 

 

REPORT: Bears OL Sam Mustipher dealing with injury

The Bears offensive line is already banged up, and now center Sam Mustipher is dealing with an injury that’s expected to sideline him.

Injuries and COVID-19 are impacting the offensive line of the Chicago Bears so much they may need to resort to planting discarded election campaign signs in front of quarterback Nick Foles just to give him some sort of protection.

Following the news of starting right tackle Bobby Massie going on injured reserve due to a knee injury and reserve tackle Jason Spriggs testing positive for COVID-19, while guard Germain Ifedi needs to quarantine as a “close contact,”the Bears might possibly be dealt yet another blow.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, center Sam Mustipher was injured during Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints. Although he finished the game, “it’s believed Mustipher will miss time,” writes Biggs.

Mustipher, starting his first NFL game after signing with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2019, was already filling in for starting center Cody Whitehair, who missed Sunday’s game due to a calf injury and may be out for this week’s game as well.

If Whitehair and Mustipher are unable to go against the Tennessee Titans, guard Alex Bars would likely be the team’s starting center. Bars was practicing snaps prior to last week’s game in case Mustipher went down.

With Massie and Spriggs already out and Ifedi, Whitehair, and now Mustipher all questionable, the Bears may need to get creative to shore up their biggest weakness on offense.

They already promoted rookie offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons from the practice squad to correspond with the Massie move and will likely activate their other rookie offensive lineman Arlington Hambright for the first time this season. If all else fails, those election signs will be available soon enough.