Aside from the promising outlook on Caleb Williams' non-major hamstring injury, the Chicago Bears have another fascinating injury situation they're currently managing. Let me explain.
After tearing his patellar tendon during the Bears' playoff win over the Green Bay Packers last January, the assumption for many was that promising second-year left tackle Ozzy Trapilo would miss most of, if not all of, his sophomore NFL season. After all, on a recent historical basis, it's often hard for NFL players to return to full health following this type of injury, let alone those who stand at a listed 6-foot-8, 312 pounds like Trapilo.
But here Trapilo is, practicing in full for most of the week during the Bears' preparation for a Monday night game with the Philadelphia
Eagles. Here Trapilo is, already off the Bears' official injury report even though he assuredly still won't play against the Eagles. Dearest readers, he tore a patellar tendon just over eight months ago! If this feels like an absurd recovery timeline to consider, that's because it is.
Not according to Bears head coach Ben Johnson. The way Johnson talked about Trapilo's astonishing recovery earlier this week, you'd think the Bears were on the verge of reinserting Trapilo back into the starting lineup very soon. And honestly? Maybe they are. There's no other reasonable conclusion to draw from Johnson saying that Trapilo seems more fluid and flexible after a devastating knee injury. Just ... what?
Ozzy Trapilo will practice in full today, per Ben Johnson. That will be his second straight practice at full capacity.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) September 23, 2026
From what the Bears have seen, it sounds like Trapilo has expanded physical capabilities despite rehabbing from injury.
Johnson: "I think he still is gaining…
What's more, is that Johnson offered no definitive timeline on Trapilo's return but already invoked his playing at some point this season. Phew:
“It’s just a matter of time before we feel he’s ready for a game.”🔥🔥
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) September 23, 2026
HC Ben Johnson on Ozzy Trapilo: pic.twitter.com/98aqd2RdvX
As constituted, with All-Pros like left guard Joe Thuney and right tackle Darnell Wright, the Bears have one of the NFL's premier offensive lines. If Trapilo really does indeed play this season after ramping up to action in practices, their front wall on offense might get even better.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Ben Johnson has revealing quote about Bears LT’s possible early return from injury
