Chicago Bears Offensive Lineman Placed on Non-Football/Illness List

It's been a brutal year for Chicago Bears offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood. After a regime change in Las Vegas led to the Raiders shockingly waiving the 2021 first-round pick, the tackle was set to seize a second chance with the Chicago Bears. He'll have to wait. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Leatherwood has been placed on the non-football/illness due to mononucleosis, costing him at least the next four games.

The #Bears placed first-round OL Alex Leatherwood on the non-football/illness list and he's out for four weeks minimum. My understanding is Leatherwood has mononucleosis.

Coach Matt Eberflus said, "We feel great about where he is and him coming back."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2022

The Bears claimed Leatherwood following his shocking cut from the Raiders and were bringing him along slowly, declaring him inactive in their Week 1 surprise win over the San Francisco 49ers. He'll now be out until at least Week 6 when the Bears play the Washington Commanders.

Leatherwood came to the Bears following a disastrous rookie season playing out of position at right guard in which he allowed the most pressures in the league. Still young at only 23 years old and gifted with elite physical tools, there's every chance the tackle can pull it together and have a productive career, assuming he isn't too shaken by his run of recent bad luck. The Bears will continue to start Larry Borom and Cody Whitehair at tackle while Leatherwood recuperates.