Bears OT Ozzy Trapilo shows progress after patellar tendon tear, but left tackle decision still takes time

The Chicago Bears have received a measure of encouraging news on the health of second-year offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, with a report indicating he has come off the active/PUP list and logged more than a week of practices. The move matters because the Bears’ left tackle spot is one of the key lineup decisions shaping their offensive stability, particularly around pass protection and protection calls.

Trapilo’s return is not described as instant readiness. The same report frames his recovery timeline as still limited by the patellar tendon tear he suffered in January. That matters in training camp, where teams often need continuity at tackle to build chemistry in pass sets, establish hand technique against live rushers, and handle adjustments that show up late in practice.

According to the report, the Bears will likely require additional practice time before they feel comfortable moving Trapilo back into their starting left tackle role. In other words, his participation is a step forward, but the team is not yet presenting his return as a finalized solution for the tackle position.

The injury context also adds weight to the caution. The report notes that there was an offseason concern that Trapilo might miss all of 2026 at one point, which helps explain why the Bears would be measured in accelerating his workload after coming off PUP. Patellar tendon recoveries frequently demand careful ramp-ups to protect explosiveness and knee stability, especially for offensive linemen whose footwork and strike mechanics are tied closely to the lower-body.

While the Trapilo situation is the focus of the update, it arrives amid a broader theme that offensive line roles can remain fluid this late into camp for teams still sorting out the pecking order. For Chicago, that means even with an important health milestone reached, the competition and evaluation at tackle may continue as the staff tries to balance development, risk management, and immediate performance needs.

For fans and evaluators, the key watch is not just whether Trapilo practices, but how the coaching staff uses him once the Bears shift from rehabilitation mode into full-scheme reps. The practical indicators to monitor are the consistency of his time on the field across practice sessions and whether the team’s protection group tightens around him at left tackle as camp progresses.

If Trapilo continues to increase his role without setbacks, the Bears’ path to a more settled offensive line becomes clearer. If the timeline stretches, Chicago may lean on more reps from other options at tackle to maintain protection quality. Either way, the next several practice windows should serve as the clearest guide to how the Bears intend to structure their starting group for the regular season.

The upcoming decision point for the Bears is therefore straightforward but still delicate: determine when Trapilo is ready enough to handle the demands of a full starting workload. The reported progress off PUP suggests improvement, but the recovery timeline described in the update indicates it will take further time before the left tackle depth chart can fully close.