The Chicago Bears got a huge boost to their roster when left tackle Ozzy Trapilo was activated off the physically unable to perform list on Sunday, just seven months after suffering a ruptured patellar tendon.
Trapilo’s quick return to the field is nothing short of miraculous given that the estimated timeline for him was expected to be roughly one year, with head coach Ben Johnson saying in the offseason that they weren’t expecting to see the second-year offensive tackle for most of this season.
Several of Trapilo’s teammates have also been pleasantly surprised by his quick return, including veteran Joe Thuney, who won the NFL’s Protector of the Year award last season. Thuney credited the training staff, his teammate, and even the weight room for helping getting Trapilo back to health so quickly.
“I know, can you believe it?” Thuney said. “Credit to him, the staff, trainers, and weight room. It’s just great to see him back out there moving in football positions again. He had another great year last year, so it’s really cool seeing him back on the field.”
With Trapilo returning to the field, the Bears will have more depth and competition for their starting left tackle job, which Trapilo held from Week 12 last season until he was hurt in the wild card round against the Green Bay Packers. It’s expected that Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie, Jedrick Wills Jr., and now Trapilo, will all battle it out for the job of protecting quarterback Caleb Williams’ blindside.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Joe Thuney reacts to Bears LT Ozzy Trapilo’s quick return to field
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
