Center Lucas Patrick Out for Finale Against Packers

The Bears have run into a major injury snag a day before facing the Green Bay Packers.

Quarterback Justin Fields will take snaps from a different center Sunday than he has all season because of a calf injury suffered by center Lucas Patrick. Because of the injury, Patrick's season is over and he has been placed on injured reserve.

Patrick went on the injury report on Friday after he'd been fine earlier in the week. Without Patrick, the options are starting backup guard/center Cody Whitehair or giving center Doug Kramer a start at center.

The injury deprives Patrick of a chance to go back to start at Lambeau Field, where he spent his first five seasons in the league.

Kramer was elevated from the practice squad by standard elevation on Saturday, along with defensive back Christian Matthew. The Bears lost Kramer earlier this year when Arizona signed him to their 53-man roster off of the Chicago practice squad, but later waived him and he returned to Chicago to the practice squad.

Originally, the Bears planned on Whitehair starting all of their games at center this year but calf injuries to guard Teven Jenkins in preseason caused them to open the season with Patrick at center and Whitehair at guard. When Jenkins returned, he moved to right guard before returning to left guard and it was Patrick who stayed at center all along while Whitehair went to the bench.

Another Saturday roster move might have tipped off trouble with another Bears defensive position.

Slot cornerback Kyler Gordon is questionable with a calf injury he suffered late in the week and on Saturday the Bears signed slot cornerback Greg Stroman Jr. off of their practice squad for their 53-man roster.

Stroman played earlier this year while Gordon was injured and made an interception and pass breakup against Washington in a 40-20 win. He has played in nine Bears games with two starts in two seasons after three seasons with Washington.

No change was reported in the status of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who already had been listed as doubtful. So it's unlikely they'll have one of their Pro Bowl cornerback.