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Bears Suffer Crushing Loss on Defensive Line

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net
By Conor Cunningham | Last updated Nov 7, 2024 12:14 PM ET

The Chicago Bears and injuries go together like white on rice. Head coach Matt Eberflus announced Wednesday that defensive tackle Andrew Billings will undergo surgery to fix a pectoral injury he sustained in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Eberlus didn't specify Billings' return timeline, but it's likely to be a season-ending injury given that the 2024 campaign is halfway through.

#Bears coach Matt Eberflus says DT Andrew Billings (pectoral muscle) will have surgery. He's out for the remainder of the season.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) November 6, 2024

Billings has been an integral part of the Bears' defense, both in the run and pass game. So far this season, he has 13 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one sack. Per PFF, he touts the ninth-highest pass-rush grade (78.6) of all defensive linemen.

Since joining the Bears before the 2023 season, Billings has been a pleasant surprise. At 6-foot-1 and 311 pounds, Billings is an enforcer on the interior of Chicago's defensive line, where he and second-year player Gervon Dexter Sr. comprised a formidable tandem.

The Bears didn't address Billings' absence at the NFL trade deadline and will rely on players such as Zacch Pickens and Chris Williams to replace him.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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