Coach Lovie Smith said on Monday that the Bears had options in place for more injuries on the offensive line than guards Lance Louis and Chris Spencer. They have others the days after situations like Louis going on injured reserve.
What the Bears could have done on Sunday for another O-lineman:
Pat Mannelly: The long snapper was a guard at Duke a long time ago. He played guard occasionally in training camps but only early in his career.
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Matt Spaeth: The No. 2 tight end is a physical blocker at 260 pounds. Not a great matchup against 300-pound defensive tackles but a tough guy.
Israel Idonije: (Kidding. No, really) The Bears have had success with defensive linemen moving to offense. Mark Bortz was an All-Big 10 defensive tackle who became a Pro Bowl left guard. Big Cat Williams was a D-tackle even into his Bears career and went to a Pro Bowl as a right tackle.
I never have played guard, Idonije said, laughing. But if there ever was a time where I needed to play a position or do something, just make sure you tell me what I gotta do.
Options from here:
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Gabe Carimi: The former No. 1 pick performed well being thrown in at a totally new position just a few days after being benched in favor of Jonathan Scott. Edwin Williams is a solid fill-in at guard but after that the question becomes whether Carimi or another choice makes for a better line overall. Either way the Bears are down a lineman.
James Brown: The Bears moved the undrafted rookie free agent from the practice squad to the regular roster last week and had him on the inactive list Sunday. Brown has played primarily tackle but some guard and is the next man up on the current roster.
Corey Brandon: The massive tackle was with the Bears through the preseason, waived in the final cutdown on Aug. 31, signed to the practice squad the next day, released on Sept. 10 when the Bears added veteran Jonathan Scott to the 53-man roster, then brought back to the practice squad on Oct. 17.
Ricky Henry: Also waived in the last round of cuts, a veteran of two camps with the Bears and was on the active roster seven weeks last season, Henry is a pure guard and a physical interior player. Henry is currently on the New Orleans Saints practice squad and could be signed but only to the Bears 53-man roster.