The Bears released tackle Jermon Bushrod on Tuesday in a move that didn’t come as a great shock after Bushrod lost his starting job on the left side of the offensive line last season.
Bushrod’s departure also saved the team some money under the salary cap and it appears there’s a third reason why the team made the move at this point in the offseason. Bushrod was released with a failed physical designation and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Bushrod likely needs surgery to repair a tear in his shoulder.
Rapoport says that Bushrod is expected to be ready in time for the 2016 season, although there’s no word on the likelihood that he’ll be healthy enough to take part in offseason workouts or OTAs in the next few months. If he’s not, there’s a good chance that Bushrod will remain on the market while teams make other arrangements at tackle.
That’s not a great spot to be in when you’re trying to show that you’re still capable of holding down a starting job, but it may be the hand that Bushrod has to play this offseason.