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Friday ended a tumultuous week of practice for the offensive line of the Chicago Bears. For starters, it was their first week practicing without number one center Will Montgomery. Fill in center Matt Slauson, who usually starts at left guard, was forced to stay there with his back up, Patrick Omameh, missing practice all week. When Slauson was at guard it was rookie Hroniss Grasu getting some work with the ones at center.
It will probably be a game time decision for the Bears at center, because Omameh (ankle) is listed as questionable (50% chance to play). If he can't go, expect to see Grasu make his NFL debut in Kansas City. If he can play, he will likely play left guard with Slauson playing center.
But that's not all the injury woes for the Bears' o-line.
Starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod is ruled out with a concussion, so Charles Leno Jr. will receive his 2nd consecutive start at left tackle. And why the hell not, but starting right tackle Kyle Long is listed as questionable with back and ankle issues.
Omameh and Long aren't the only Bears receiving the questionable designation, in all there are 13 players that are 50/50. Joining these two are QB Jay Cutler (hamstring), WR Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), [UPDATE: Jeffery is ruled OUT as of 9am CT on Sunday], WR Eddie Royal (ankle), QB Jimmy Clausen (back), OT Tayo Fabuluje (ankle), DL Jeramiah Ratliff (ankle), DL Will Sutton (elbow), ILB Shea McClellin (elbow), OLB Pernell McPhee (shoulder), CB Alan Ball (groin) and Sherrick McManis (hamstring).
Among the questionable Bears, it was Jeffery, Royal and McPhee joining Omameh by sitting out practice. Also not practicing was starting safety Antrel Rolle (ankle), who is listed as doubtful (75% chance he misses the game).
Everyone else on Chicago's injured list was limited at Friday's practice, as was punter Pat O'Donnell (knee) who is listed as probable (25% chance he misses the game).
So for those counting at home, that's 16 Bears on this week's injury list.
Head coach John Fox wasn't very concerned with the long list of injured players, because he has a very good idea which ones will be able to tough it out and play.
Fox on injured #Bears: "We'll take everybody with us on the trip. We'll continue to treat them & evaluate them & we'll see how that goes."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) October 9, 2015
If I were to wager a guess, I'd say Ratliff makes his season debut and Jeffery misses a 4th consecutive game. I have no idea how the interior of their offensive line will shake out, but I doubt the Bears would want to put a rookie at center in such a raucous road environment.
And since the Bears have such a lengthy list of injured players, I wanted to end this section on a happy note, so enjoy this waving Bear.
Cub Scouts Honor by Kevin Detrich: https://t.co/NR4UoP8y8A #bears pic.twitter.com/qRbuoUghbQ
— 500px (@500px) October 9, 2015
For the Kansas City Chiefs they have already ruled out starting inside linebacker Josh Mauga (groin/Achilles). Starting wide out Albert Wilson (shoulder) is questionable, while starting tight end Travis Kelce (groin/thumb) is probable, as is back up TE James O'Shaughnessy (hand).