Chicago Bears: Are they healthy enough to handle the Chiefs?

It was a long shot for the Chicago Bears to beat the Oakland Raiders in Week 4 at home, but in a miraculous drive and with a Robbie Gould kick, the Bears pulled off a win. Now the Bears are on the road playing against the Kansas City Chiefs, and it won’t be easy.

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With a crippled Bears offense, the coaching staff has had to make some adjustments and decisions that may include the performance of rookie Hronnis Grasu at center. Bears center Will Montgomery broke his fibula in Week 4 against the Raiders, that required guard Matt Slauson to move over in the center spot.

Slauson started a little shaky in the third quarter, fumbling the ball. But as a veteran, he knew what adjustments needed to be made and executed them without blinking twice. Slauson did what every player should do, flip the switch to play the game and leave the fears behind. But can Grasu step in?

May 8, 2015; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears center Hroniss Grasu (55) during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Grasu has only played in a few preseason games but at Oregon State he was a beast. A Rimington Award finalist for the nation’s best center in 2014, Grasu is a mirror blocker against linebackers. He is a student of the game and can handle the point of attack pretty well.

But like every rookie, he will need to clear his mind of game time jitters and just do his job. He will have to rookie mistakes and avoid holding calls that can negate much-needed completions.

If Grasu starts and Slauson is back at guard, it will be a test for this young rookie. However, the Bears need to beat the Chiefs. As it stands, both teams are tied for most points allowed by a defense, which is over 300 plus yards per game.

According to the injuries reported by ChicagoBears.com, left tackle Jermon Bushrod is still sidelined with a concussion, which he sustained in Week 3 against the Seahawks. Right tackle Kyle Long has been limited in practice for the last two days with back and ankle issues.

An even dire situation is at left tackle with Bushrod’s backup Patrick Omameh nursing an ankle injury. That leaves newly signed Nick Becton to start at left tackle if Bushrod and Omameh can’t play.

Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) runs after catching a pass during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Again, according to ChicagoBears.com, there are currently 16 injuries, with 14 as listed questionable. Each player has to perform with the next-man-up mentality and ensure that Cutler is protected and holes are open for the running game to succeed.

The big question is whether or not wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will be available to play. He has missed three games with a hamstring injury and with the way the Chiefs are allowing 295.5 passing yards per game, this could be a great day for Jeffrey to light up the field.

In order to win in Kansas City, the Bears offense will have to minimize holding calls, false starts and dropped balls. A win here will at least give the team some hope going into Week 6 against the Detroit Lions.

As it is, both the Bears and Chiefs are sitting with 1-3 records. So who will fight to the finish and get the job done?

Next: Fantasy Football: Top 10 Sleepers for Week 5

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