Bears G Long practices for first time in two months

[December 22, 2018]    Chicago Bears offensive guard Kyle Long returned to practice for the first time since a right foot injury Oct. 28.

Long could play in Chicago's Week 17 game if medically cleared but is not eligible to be activated from injured reserve until Monday.

By practicing Friday, the 21-day window for the Bears to activate Long opened. The Bears lead the NFC North and are still in the running for a first-round bye depending on the results of the final two games of the season.

Long, 30, left the Bears' 24-10 win over the Jets with an injury head coach Matt Nagy originally feared could be a season-ender.

In his absence, Bryan Witzmann has started at guard. Witzmann played for the Chiefs in 2016 and 2017, when Nagy was with Kansas City.

The Bears are likely to be cautious with the injury given Long required ankle surgery on the same foot in 2016.

--Field Level Media

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