Report: Bears LS Patrick Scales could start season on IR

The Chicago Bears are in the process of trimming their roster to 53 players ahead of Tuesday's cutdown deadline, but it sounds like they could be without one key player to start the 2024 season.

According to Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs, there's a "good chance" that long snapper Patrick Scales will begin the season on injured reserve. Although, he notes, "nothing is official" yet.

Scales suffered a back injury in the Hall of Fame Game against the Houston Texans on Aug. 1. Earlier this month, coach Matt Eberflus said Scales was dealing with a soft tissue injury in his back, which caused him to miss the rest of the preseason.

If Scales does indeed to start the season IR, he would be required to miss the first four games. That would make him eligible to return as soon as Week 5 against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 6.

Scales, who's been with the Bears since 2015, hasn't missed a regular-season game since 2017 after suffering a torn ACL in the preseason. Assuming Scales isn't ready for the 2024 season, Chicago could turn to Cameron Lyons, who's been on the roster throughout the summer, or explore other options following roster cuts.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears LS Patrick Scales could start season on IR