With Ozzy Trapilo sidelined, Bears eye Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney for a crucial left tackle switch against the Rams.
The Chicago Bears lost a key part of their offensive line for the season in the 31-27 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Left tackle Ozzy Trapilo suffered an injury late in the game and was replaced by Theo Benedet. T.J. Edwards exited the game earlier with a severe injury and was carted off the field.
Trapilo sustained a patellar injury, while Edwards suffered a fractured fibula, as both of their seasons are now over.
Benedet was an ample replacement and had started several games at left tackle. Head coach Ben Johnson even vetted Benedet as a potential replacement for Trapilo in a recent press conference.
Braxton Jones started the season as the team's left tackle, but was benched for Benedet. Benedet lost the job to Trapilo after the 31-28 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12.
However, there is now a new development.
The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported that the team is looking into having Pro Bowl guard Joe Thuney move over to left tackle.
Thuney has played 389 snaps at left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs last season, so it's nothing he hasn't done before. It would be the first time he's done so since then, after playing left guard all year for the Bears.
Thuney was one of the Bears' three Pro Bowlers, joining safety Kevin Byard and center Drew Dalman.
If the Bears do go with Thuney at left tackle, there would be a decision to make on who to put at left guard. Chicago could use either Jordan McFadden or Luke Newman in Thuney's spot.
The move could be risky, that's for sure.
The Rams enter the game with 47 sacks on the season, which ranks seventh in the NFL. Chicago has allowed the third-fewest sacks (24) this season, but this hasn't been the regular lineup for the offensive line.
It sounds like Chicago is willing to take drastic measures to reach the NFC Championship. This is the reality of playoff football in the NFL.
We saw the Chiefs put Thuney at left tackle in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles, and in the two playoff games leading up to it.
The stage is set for Soldier Field to host another playoff game for the Bears. Can Johnson earn another playoff win at home in just his first season with the organization?
Find out at 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC.