The Chicago Bears are bringing back a rookie defensive tackle who spent time with the team during training camp ahead of their upcoming game against Indianapolis.
According to the team’s September 18 transaction report, the Bears have added undrafted rookie Dashaun Mallory to their practice squad, filling the spot left by long snapper Scott Daly, who was promoted to the 53-man roster.
Mallory, a native of Bolingbrook, Illinois, impressed during the preseason, registering six tackles and a sack, and earning a 65.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 275 pounds, he also posted 48 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, and four quarterback hits while playing for Arizona State in 2023.
The Bears are managing injuries along the interior defensive line as they prepare for their third game of the 2024 season. While Zacch Pickens, their 2023 third-round draft pick, was cleared of a hip injury in time for Week 2’s game against the Texans, he sustained a new groin injury that kept him out of practice leading up to Week 3. Veteran defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker is also dealing with a foot injury but managed to play against the Texans despite being listed as questionable.
The Bears (1-1) will play their second straight road game in Week 3 when they face the Colts (0-2) on Sunday, September 22, at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Zacch Pickens’ Health is Becoming an Issue for Bears
Pickens appeared to be on the right track health-wise heading into Week 2’s Sunday Night Football. After being sidelined since the end of training camp due to a hip injury—an issue that initially made him a potential candidate for injured reserve—he was cleared after fully participating in the Bears’ last two practices leading up to the game.
However, Pickens’ return was short-lived. He played just seven defensive snaps against the Texans before sustaining a new groin injury in the third quarter. Although it’s unclear when the injury occurred, the Bears listed him as questionable to return late in the third quarter and later downgraded him to doubtful in the fourth.
Missing Wednesday’s practice ahead of Week 3 is concerning for Pickens, especially since the Bears typically take a cautious approach with injured players. Given his extended absence during training camp, Pickens needs more reps to get back into game form. His availability will be something to watch as the Colts game approaches.
If Pickens remains sidelined in Week 3, the Bears will have to find a solution for the interior of their defensive line. Gervon Dexter Sr. and Andrew Billings have been solid through the first two games, with DeMarcus Walker contributing thanks to his inside-outside versatility, but the team may need additional depth.
In Week 1, the Bears elevated veteran Byron Cowart to their game-day roster when Pickens was unavailable, and they could do the same if necessary. They also have Sam Roberts, a 2022 sixth-round pick from the Patriots, and the newly re-signed Dashaun Mallory as potential reinforcements.
Will Bears Pursue iOL Reinforcements for Week 3?
The Bears addressed a lower-priority need with the signing of defensive tackle Dashaun Mallory at the start of Week 3, but their more pressing concern is the depth of their interior offensive line ahead of their next game.
So far this season, the Bears have seen inconsistent performances from Nate Davis and Coleman Shelton. Teven Jenkins is also dealing with a deep thigh bruise, which caused him to miss practice on Wednesday. With Ryan Bates, who could provide relief at either guard or center, on injured reserve until at least Week 6, the Bears may need to explore options for bolstering their offensive line depth.
However, finding quality interior linemen partway through the regular season won’t be easy. Free agents like Mason Cole, Scott Quessenberry, and Trai Turner could be options at center and guard, but bringing in an outside player would require getting them up to speed with the team’s offensive system—a time-consuming challenge with the clock ticking.
One potential solution could be re-signing Ja’Tyre Carter, a 2022 draft pick whom the Bears waived just before the 53-man roster deadline in August. The team likely released Carter early to give him a chance to catch on with another active roster, but he only landed a practice-squad spot with the Carolina Panthers, who are also facing offensive line struggles.
While the Bears might have moved on from Carter, signing him off the Panthers’ practice squad would bring in a player already familiar with the Bears’ offense and blocking schemes, offering much-needed depth without the learning curve of a new addition.
