Chicago Bears Place Ryan Bates on IR Among 3 Roster Moves

Chicago Bears fans will have to wait a little longer to see if Ryan Poles' infatuation with former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Ryan Bates will pay off in the long term. After Bates battled a shoulder injury throughout training camp, the team has placed the veteran on injured reserve in hopes that a few weeks' rest and rehabilitation will cure the guard's woes.

The Bears signed Bates to an offer sheet during the 2022 offseason, which the Bills matched on the final day to do so. Bates was relegated to largely a backup role the past two years with the Bills, and this past offseason, Poles doled out a fifth-round pick to finally get Bates into navy blue and burnt orange.

Bates rotated with Nate Davis at right guard in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. After he missed practice on Thursday and Friday, the team decided to give his shoulder time to heal rather than hoping he could rehab on the fly.

The Bears elevated long snapper Scott Daly from the practice squad, and Hall of Fame Game hero wide receiver Collin Johnson was also added as insurance for both Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, both of whom are questionable for Week 2 against the Houston Texans.

Related: Blocking Bears: Ranking the Offensive Line Through Week 1

Bates' injury is a tough blow to an offensive line that has drawn the ire of the fan base. The aforementioned Davis has all but worn out his welcome among the Bears faithful, and Coleman Shelton struggled mightily against the robust interior line of the Titans.

The Bears look to tighten up the trenches against a formidable Texans team on Sunday night .

Related: How to Watch Bears at Texans: Live Stream, TV Channel, Start Time

Subscribe to On Tap Sports Net on YouTube and the Bears On Tap podcast for more Chicago Bears content, updates, and hot takes!