Bears Sign Huge Ex-Chargers Lineman After Losing Promising OL to Injury

Getty New Bears OL Austen Pleasants.

In a series of roster moves heading into their Week 9 showdown against the Arizona Cardinals, the Chicago Bears staff placed offensive lineman Bill Murray on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, while also signing OL Austen Pleasants to the practice squad.

In a corresponding roster move, Chicago released long snapper Jake McQuaide from its PS. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported the moves.

Murray has become an unexpected standout for the Bears in the 2024 season. Originally a practice squad player, he earned his spot on the Bears’ active roster and has proven invaluable, especially in their Week 5 victory against the Carolina Panthers.

Bears Place OL Bill Murray on Injured Reserve, Losing Quality O-Line Depth

When starting left guard Teven Jenkins was sidelined with an ankle injury Week 5, Murray stepped in seamlessly, allowing zero pressures, QB hits, or sacks, helping the Bears dominate in a 36-10 win over Carolina.

“(He) did a really nice job stepping in there from what I saw,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said about Murray after Panthers game. “I’ve got to look at the tape, but it looked like he was physical, he was sound in there in terms of fundamentals.”

He hasn’t played much — he has logged 42 snaps on the season — but O-line depth is huge in the NFL, and Murray stepped up when called upon.

His impressive pass-blocking grade of 85.7 and run-blocking grade of 77.3 from Pro Football Focus on the season underscores his ability to handle both aspects of offensive line play at a high level. Losing him will be a significant setback for the Bears, as he was a key depth piece this season.

Who Is New Bears OL Austen Pleasants?

The 6-foot-7, 312-pound Pleasants is a massive specimen. He played his college ball at Ohio University in Athens, where he had an underdog tale of sorts.

After redshirting at Ohio his first year in 2015, Pleasants gradually took on a starting role with the Bobcats. In his sophomore year, he appeared in 11 games, quickly showcasing his capability at right tackle. By his junior year in 2018, Pleasants solidified himself as a consistent starter, playing in 13 games and helping Ohio become one of the more effective rushing teams in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In his senior season (2019), he earned Second-Team All-MAC honors.

Throughout his college career, he participated in 28 games with 20 starts, anchoring a line that contributed significantly to Ohio’s offensive production.

He caught on with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020, spending most of his rookie year on their practice squad. He was released by the Jags in October of that season.

Following his release, Pleasants joined the Panthers’ practice squad and earned a spot on the active roster in November 2021. He signed a reserve/future contract with Carolina in early 2022 but was waived before the start of the season. He was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers‘ practice squad in November 2022, where he signed another reserve/future contract in 2023. Despite showing promise, the Chargers also let Pleasants walk.

He has just two regular season starts over his career in the NFL. Now, he’ll get a new opportunity in Chicago.