Bears activate offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo from active/PUP, returning from patellar tendon surgery

The Chicago Bears have activated offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo from reserve/physically unable to perform, placing him back in the group of players eligible to practice and play as the team’s roster is trimmed and organized for the 2026 season.

Trapilo’s path back has been shaped by a serious knee injury. According to the team’s announcement as reported by Yahoo Sports, he suffered a patellar tendon injury during the Bears’ wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers. The reporting also indicates he underwent surgery on Jan. 21, with expectations that he would miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season.

The timing of an activation from PUP matters for roster management even when a player is not expected to be immediately available. In the NFL, the PUP designation is used for players who are unable to participate at the start of the season due to football-related or other injuries, and activation is a step in the league’s injury-and-availability process that can affect how teams structure depth charts and practice reps.

Trapilo is listed as an offensive tackle, a position that carries heavy responsibility in both pass protection and run blocking. From a coaching standpoint, even a limited return to on-field work can help a team gauge how effectively an athlete’s knee can handle the demands of anchoring against power rushers and moving in space for stunts and coverage pressures.

For the Bears, the move also reflects how much of the offseason planning can hinge on medical timelines rather than only spring evaluation. Activation from PUP indicates the team believes Trapilo has progressed to the point where participation is permissible, though it does not automatically resolve how quickly he can regain full strength, mobility, and technique sharpness after tendon surgery.

It is also worth noting that the original expectation around Trapilo was broad. The report describes him as someone who was expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season, meaning the Bears’ next priority will likely be determining whether he can resume football activities on a steady basis and whether he can handle full-snap workload when the time comes.

As training camp and the early regular-season ramp approach, Chicago will have to balance the benefit of accelerating Trapilo’s development against the reality that patellar tendon recovery can require patience. If Trapilo returns to form as an offensive tackle option, it could change how the Bears distribute reps at tackle and how they plan for late-season injuries, but the immediate impact will depend on what the medical and practice checkpoints show.

For Bears fans, this activation is a practical milestone. It marks the next chapter after surgery, and it offers a clearer picture of whether Trapilo’s return is moving toward a genuine on-field role or remains limited while the knee continues to heal.