The Kyle Long injury was a bittersweet aftertaste for the Chicago Bears in their win over the New York Jets. He’s consistently been one of their best players through some dark times in franchise history. Few have deserved a chance to participate in a winning season more than him. Yet it seems his body doesn’t want to cooperate.
Long spent the first three seasons of his career relatively healthy. Since then? It’s been one setback after another with him constantly missing time. At last, it seemed like he’d turned a corner this year. He was back on the field. Through six games he’d suffered no setbacks. Maybe the bout of health problems had finally passed.
Then he ended up at the bottom of a nasty pileup against the Jets and could be heard screaming in pain. He was quickly helped to limp off the field and carted to the locker room. It was hard not to make assumptions about what happened. Given everything known to this point, there are three questions the Bears must answer.
#1: Is Kyle Long done for the season?
This is naturally the one they need to answer first. Matt Nagy said at his Monday press conference after the game that the team does not yet know the extent of Long’s injury. He left the stadium on crutches after being carted to the locker room. So it’s potentially season-ending. Nagy isn’t sure that’s the case but more data will be available later in the week. It would be a tough blow if he’s indeed done for the year.
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Matt Nagy reaffirms that Kyle Long’s injury is a new one to his right foot and not a re-aggravation of his ankle injury. He does not know yet if it’s season-ending.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) October 29, 2018
#2: Who will replace him?
Nagy didn’t seem overly concerned about the situation. While he felt bad for Long and wants him out on the field, he believes the Bears are prepared for such a loss. They had considerable depth along their interior offensive line coming into the season and part of why was because of Long’s notable injury history.
The #Bears expect Eric Kush (neck) back this week. Good news, because they'll probably have a need at guard with Long's right foot injured. https://t.co/6UVnlaZHDh
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) October 29, 2018
With rookie James Daniels taking over at left guard, the man he replaced in Eric Kush is almost certain to take over Long’s spot on the right side. However, if he remains out with his neck problem then veteran Bryan Witzmann could see action. He started 13 games for Kansas City last year when Nagy was the offensive coordinator.
#3: Should they urge him to consider retirement?
It’s never easy to ask a player to give up his passion but something the more important thing is to preserve his life after football. Long has endured a string of brutal injuries over the past few years including shoulder, neck, finger, and ankle problems. All of which required extensive offseason surgeries to get fixed.
Now he’s facing the likely prospect of adding another to the list with his foot. Long turns 30-years old in December. If he keeps playing and enduring these constant problems, he may have the body of a 60-year old by the time he’s 35. That’s why it might be prudent of the organization to urge him towards considering retirement.
