The Chicago Bears will feature a new starting offensive line combination in Week 5 after left guard Cody Whitehair landed on injured reserve with a knee injury.
It should be similar to the combination we saw last week when Whitehair exited the game with Braxton Jones (LT), Lucas Patrick (LG), Sam Mustipher (C), Teven Jenkins (RG) and Larry Borom (RT). But it’s not set in stone.
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said the team is still trying to figure out the best starting offensive line combination heading into Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Which has everything to do with where Patrick will line up.
Patrick was brought in to serve as center, but he’s been exclusively at guard as he recovers from a broken thumb. It certainly sounds like there’s an opportunity for Patrick to finally kick over to center this week.
“Yesterday he did a little bit of everything, so we’re gonna try to put what we feel in by the end of the week,” Getsy said on Thursday, via ChicagoBears.com. “We’ll evaluate it again today and then make that decision.”
Patrick has versatility along the interior, having experience at both guard positions and center. It’s something that Getsy values.
“You’re lucky you have a guy that has that kind of experience,” Getsy said. “I mean, he’s been thrown in those situations before, but it’s still not an easy task. I think he’s taken zero snaps at left guard since he’s been here, and for him to go out there and be able to finish that game the way he did, we’re lucky we have Lucas.”
