Bears tackle Larry Borom will miss Sunday’s game against the Cowboys after the Bears ruled him out with a concussion on Friday.
Borom started and finished Monday night’s win against the Patriots but did not participate in practices or walk-throughs this week.
Coach Matt Eberflus would not name a replacement for Borom, but veteran Riley Reiff, a 10-year starter with the Lions, Vikings and Bengals, is likely to start Sunday. The Cowboys defense leads the NFL in sacks with 29 and has forced six quarterback fumbles (four recovered).
Reiff has played two snaps this season, as an extra tackle against the Texans and Patriots.
“Reiff’s been ready,” Eberflus said. “He’s played a lot of snaps in the league and knows his assignment. He’s always been a consummate pro.”
The 33-year-old Reiff took a workmanlike approach to the opportunity.
“It’s football, man,” he said. “I’m just gonna go out there and play.”
It will be the first fill-in role for Reiff since his rookie season with the Lions in 2012.
“You always got to be ready in this business,” he said. “Crazy stuff happens. Just always got to be ready.”
Continuity on the offensive line has been elusive for the Bears and line coach Chris Morgan. This will be the fourth different starting lineup in the last six games. Guard Cody Whitehair (knee) and center Lucas Patrick (toe) are on injured reserve. With Borom out, only rookie left tackle Braxton Jones will have started every game.
The Bears have no other injured players this week. Veteran defensive lineman Armor Watts (personal) practiced Friday and will play against the Cowboys.
Leatherwood progressing
Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood was activated off the reserve/non-football injury list. The 2021 first-round draft pick of the Raiders, who started all 17 games as a rookie, was signed by the Bears off waivers on Aug. 31. He was put on the NFI list with mononucleosis on Sept. 14 and returned to practice on Oct. 12.
“Work in progress,” Eberflus said. “He hasn’t been here that long. He’s only been back a couple of weeks now, so it’s where we would think it is. But he’s working diligently at it with the coaches We think he’s in a good spot.’
Ode to Robert Quinn
Eberflus echoed the sentiment of everyone at Halas Hall with a nod to defensive end Robert Quinn, who was traded to the Eagles on Wednesday for a fourth-round draft pick.
“Just want to thank him for everything he did when he was here,” Eberflus said. “The relationship he and I built here was fantastic. His leadership was great. His work ethic was unbelievable on the field. Strong family man. I really respect Robert Quinn, so I wish him the best of luck with the team he’s with now [the Eagles] and nothing but the best for him.”
