The Chicago Bears will place long snapper Patrick Scales on injured reserve/designated to return on Wednesday, and he is scheduled to have minor back surgery to correct a disc issue on Thursday, multiple sources told the Tribune.
The team should have a better idea about a timeline for Scales’ return following surgery, but the hope is it is on the shorter side, maybe around six weeks. Players must miss a minimum of four regular-season games before they can return to practice and game action from IR.
Scales was injured in the preseason opener against the Houston Texans in Canton, Ohio, when he took a hit in his hip. The injury did not heal as fast as all had hoped with rest.
Scales has played in 83 consecutive games for the Bears and has not missed action since a torn ACL in the 2017 preseason knocked him out for the entire year. The Bears signed veteran Matt Overton in Week 18 last season when Scales was questionable with a foot injury, but the newcomer was not needed.
The Bears waived long snapper Cameron Lyons on Tuesday and need to identify a replacement for Scales for the Sept. 8 season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. Multiple sources believe there is a strong chance former Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly is the top choice.
Daly was waived by the Lions, who replaced him with rookie Hogan Hatten. A Notre Dame product, Daly played high school football at Downers Grove South and appeared in 42 games for Detroit over the previous three seasons.
It’s possible Daly, 30, is on the practice field when the Bears have a session in full pads at 2 p.m., which is after waiver claims will be processed by the NFL and teams have an opportunity to begin forming practice squads.
The Bears are expected to re-sign fullback Khari Blasingame to a one-year contract after Scales is placed on IR. Blasingame’s contract was terminated Tuesday, but he will re-sign for the full amount on his previous contract — $1.55 million. If the team claims Daly, it would have to create a roster spot for him.
Zach Triner, a veteran from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is another available long snapper. Tucker Addington (New England Patriots) and Rex Sunahara (Cleveland Browns) are less experienced options that sources have said could generate interest. Overton, 39, is also a free agent.
