The Chicago Bears will have rookie starting left tackle Ozzy Trapilo back for Saturday night’s Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers.
Trapilo missed last week with a quad injury but was removed from the final injury report after progressing from limited participation early in the week to a full practice on Wednesday. His return restores stability at the most critical spot on the offensive line for Caleb Williams.
The Bears also cleared DJ Moore (knee), Jahdae Walker (illness), and Rome Odunze, who practiced in full and carries no injury designation. Kyler Gordon is listed as questionable after practicing throughout the week, while C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka remain out in concussion protocol.
With Trapilo back in the lineup, the Bears enter the playoffs with continuity at left tackle, a position that was a weakness earlier in the season but has stabilized down the stretch.
Trapilo’s return stabilizes the most important spot on the field
GettyBears Rookie LT Ozzy Trapilo and QB Caleb Williams
Since taking over at left tackle in week 12, Ozzy Trapilo has started six games and allowed 13 quarterback pressures and two sacks over that span (both coming in a single game against Cleveland and Myles Garrett, who broke the single season sack record).
According to PFF, his 77.7 pass blocking grade during that stretch trailed only Chiefs rookie Josh Simmons among first year tackles. The impact was clear in the numbers: Williams worked from a clean pocket on 64.8% of his dropbacks, a top 15 rate leaguewide over that span.
With Braxton Jones also practicing fully this week after spending most of the season on injured reserve, the Bears suddenly have options. Still, all signs point to Trapilo remaining the top choice at left tackle, a remarkable development considering where the position stood just a few months ago.
From question mark to franchise cornerstone?
GettyBears Rookie LT Ozzy Trapilo
As the postseason begins, Ozzy Trapilo’s emergence has quietly reshaped the Chicago Bears’ long term outlook as a whole. What once looked like something that was going to be a glaring offseason need at left tackle now feels answered. Sure small sample sizes always come with caution, but Trapilo has already shown he can handle high level competition under pressure. Now comes the biggest test yet.
With the Packers coming to town and everything tightened to win or go home, Chicago gets back the rookie who has helped make their offense dangerous. Of course, Ozzy and the rest of the Bears have the luxury of not having to deal with Micah Parsons. But that doesn’t discount Ozzy’s importance… Rather it shifts it. Cause without Green Bay’s top edge rusher, the emphasis moves to consistency in the run game and clean edges on early downs, areas where Trapilo has already proven reliable.
The Bears enter Saturday night healthier, steadier, and far closer to full strength than they appeared just days ago. For a team trying to take its next step, having Ozzy Trapilo back where he belongs might be the quiet boost that matters most.
Bears Get Crucial Offensive Lineman Back Just in Time for Wild Card vs. Packers