Michael

Schofield III

Schofield -- who was replacing the already-injured Teven Jenkins -- was carted off. Dieter Eislen replaced him at right guard. On a one-year deal and at 32 years old, the carting suggests Schofield will miss Week 18 and enter free agency.

Jones got in a limited session on Wednesday, but didn’t respond well and took back-to-back DNPs to end the week. He doesn’t look particularly close to coming back yet. Also inactive for the Bears are DB Elijah Hicks, OL Michael Schofield, DB Lamar Jackson, OL Ja’Tyre Carter, and TE Jake Tonges.

Chicago initially signed Schofield in July amidst trade rumors surrounding Teven Jenkins. Jenkins ultimately earned the starting job at right guard. The Bears then cut Schofield. With Alex Leatherwood landing on the NFI list, Chicago was in need of some extra depth on their line. Schofield, having a summer’s worth of work within the team’s system, gives them some experience on the back of the roster.

Schofield was competing with Teven Jenkins for the starting spot at right guard. Jenkins has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, but Schofield’s release makes it clear he is staying and has earned the starting gig. Schofield started 12 games for the Chargers in 2021. Pro Football Focus graded him as a competent pass-blocker while docking him for poor run-blocking. With 81 starts to his name, Schofield should draw some interest as a free agent.

Schofield, 32, started a dozen games for the Chargers in 2021 during his second stint with the organization. Functioning mostly as a guard but sometimes playing tackle, Schofield will join a Bears offensive line graded by Pro Football Focus as last season’s tenth worst run blocking unit. Chicago was middling in pass protection last season.

Turning 31 in November, this will be Schofield’s second stint with the Chargers after spending the 2017-2019 seasons in L.A. He’s started 69 career games and will slide in as a veteran backup with RT Bryan Bulaga (back) headed to injured reserve.

In a rush to get down to 53 men on the final roster, Baltimore released WRs Devin Gray and Siaosi Mariner and ultimately terminated Schofield’s contract. The 6'6", 301-pound 30-year-old initially signed with the team in June. There’s a terrific chance he lands elsewhere as a practice squad reserve ahead of Week 1.

Schofield, entering his seventh NFL season, joins a retooled Baltimore offensive line graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s 14th best run blocking unit and 10th best pass blocking unit in 2020. The 6'6", 301-pound Schofield has played 87 games primarily as a right guard. The Panthers cut him this spring in a salary cap move.

Carolina will be down a starting guard for their opening game against the Raiders. Panthers GM Marty Hurney said this week that he’s comfortable with the team’s offensive line depth behind Daley, as OL Michael Schofield is expected to start in Daley’s place. Daley’s absence probably won’t be too costly against a Vegas front seven that posted the league’s seventh lowest sack rate in 2019 and was middling against opposing rushers.

Schofield, 29, started all 16 games for the Chargers last season, playing the fifth-most snaps among all right guards in the NFL. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 43 guard out of 82 qualifiers, receiving passing marks for his pass protection. The seventh-year pro has started 66 career games and will immediately come in and push Bengals castoff John Miller for the job at right guard.