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It’s the preseason and the Bears’ top head-to-head rival in recent years is already rearing it’s ugly head: Injuries. No matter what Chicago does with health and conditioning regimens, the sheer talent level of Injuries (or talent it takes away) always overcomes.
After already losing Adam Shaheen to a sprained right ankle and rare sprained foot for an undisclosed period of time, and having Leonard Floyd break two fingers in his hand against the Broncos last Saturday night, the Bears are now dealing with a depth loss on their back end.
That loss is third-year safety and core special teamer, DeAndre Houston-Carson, who broke his right arm against Denver according to the Chicago Tribune’s Rich Campbell. There is no set timeline for his return and he is expected to be out indefinitely. Houston-Carson can also not go on the physically unable to perform list as those designations must be made before the start of training camp.
Houston-Carson, a 2016 sixth round pick out of William & Mary, had been having a stellar camp and preseason working with the Bears’ No. 2 defense. On special teams in particular, the 25-year-old had carved out a niche as one of Chicago’s best players on the third phase. His loss makes the Bears dangerously thin at safety with only Deon Bush backing Eddie Jackson and Adrian Amos. A potential roster move in the coming days might be necessary.
After enjoying 10 tackles and forcing two fumbles in 2017, Houston-Carson was expected to take the next progressive step in play on special teams this season alongside regular Bears stalwarts like Sherrick McManis. Unfortunately, that step has to wait for the time being as Houston-Carson’s arm heals.
With but 17 days before the Bears visit the Packers in Week 1 of the regular season, their all-time greatest rival in Injuries is already getting a healthy schematic leg up.
Robert is an editor, writer, and producer for Windy City Gridiron, The Rock River Times, The Athletic Chicago, and other fine publications. You can reach him by email at robertpoduski@gmail.com. You can follow him on Twitter @RobertZeglinski.