The Bears’ offensive line depth got even worse Sunday, long before the team played a snap against the Patriots at Soldier Field.
An hour-and-a-half before inactives were due to the league, the Bears announced that guard Nate Davis had a back injury and would not play. Davis, who has played only 42 snaps all season, had not been listed on the injury report all week.
He was unlikely to start, but the Bears needed all the help they could get on the line. The Bears had already ruled out starting tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright, who have knee injuries; their backup Kiran Amegadjie, who has a calf problem.
Guard Ryan Bates was activated from injured reserve Saturday after hurting his shoulder. Bears coach Matt Eberflus was coy all week about how he’d line up his offensive line. His two main options were playing Larry Borom at left tackle again and putting Jake Curhan, who was promoted from the practice squad Saturday, at right tackle — or moving guard Matt Pryor to tackle and replacing him with Bates.
The Bears also ruled out edge rusher Darrell Taylor, who has been fighting a knee injury all week. Montez Sweat, who missed last week’s game, will play.
Linebacker Noah Sewell is out with a knee injury. Cornerback Ameer Speed is a healthy speed.
Safety Jaquan Brisker, who suffered a concussion 35 days ago — the last time the team was at Soldier Field — and still hasn’t been cleared to return.