Almost everything has gone right for the Chicago Bears over the past month. Most of their young players showed steady progress in training camp and the preseason. The retooled coaching staff looks good. They even added extra firepower on defense with Darrell Taylor and Chris Williams. As always, health would be the determining factor in their hopes for a strong start to 2024. For the most part, they’ve avoided anything significant. However, it appears they won’t make it to opening day completely unscathed.
According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, long snapper Patrick Scales hasn’t recovered from a persistent back injury. This puts the Bears in a tough sport, likely forced to scour the veteran market for an emergency replacement.
Nothing is official, but there is a good chance long snapper Patrick Scales will open the season on injured reserve.
Scales, 36, has not played since the Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans when he suffered a back injury.
If Scales begins the season on IR, he would be eligible to return as early as Week 5 when the Bears host the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 6.
Scales’ consistency has gone underappreciated by Chicago Bears fans.
They signed him in 2015. Since then, he hasn’t missed a single game in his career. This will be the first time ever. Chicago has enjoyed remarkable stability at long snapper for over two decades, first with Patrick Mannelly and then Scales. It will be interesting to see what they do. Cameron Lyons served as their snapper throughout the preseason. He didn’t impress all that much, with multiple snaps veering off target. Since they have a rookie punter in Tory Taylor both punting and holding on field goals, it is likely preferable they add somebody who can be more consistent. Jake McQuaide is the most experienced available on the market, having worked with the Rams, Cowboys, and Lions since 2013. Carson Tinker is another name who’s found lots of playing time around the league. It comes down to what the Chicago Bears are looking for.
Honestly, only a stupid team does not prepare for such a possibility.
First and most importantly Scales is not on IR yet. Panic over nothing. 2 bucks says he plays week 1. They are resting him. He knows his job. Doesn’t really need camp or preseason.
Sally just like constantly yapping bullshit. That what you do to try to impress people and make them think you’re smart. You’re not. You just think because you spent your whole life reading books that is an accomplishment. Stuff your punctuation up your azz. Nobody cares grammar nazi. I know people exactly like you. They crave attention to prove to themselves their smarter than everyone. Nobody here cares. But as you can see everyone thinks you’re full of shit. STFU. Go write a psychobabble book that no one will read………………lots of periods to stuff in your azz
Just like for lecturing, taking tests, legal presenting, coaching, and playing sports — preparation, preparation, preparation; followed by practice, practice, practice. One must be mindful of the worst-case scenarios and have all your bases covered–from the mundane to the most unexpected. How difficult is it to train someone to be a credible back-up long snapper for a better chance to make the team and a whole lot of money? Even Payton was back-up in a few areas besides RB.
Sally, if you were the head coach or gm the bears would be 0-17 every year cause nobody but tgena takes you seriously