Chicago Bears getting much needed kicking relief?Patrick Sheldonon September 29, 2020 at 2:30 pm

He’s already missed two of his four field-goal attempts this year, including a 50-yarder against the New York Giants, and a 46-yarder on the opening series of the Atlanta Falcons game. Each game ended up being a one-score game, and so it is pure luck that those misses didn’t cost them.

This is Santos’ second go-around with the Bears. His first tenure did not go so well, but in fairness, he was dealing with a groin injury and was placed in injured reserve in December of 2017.

Coincidentally, he is on the current roster because Pineiro, their regular starter, was placed on IR because of — you guessed it — a groin injury. He hardly kicked this preseason, and the Bears made the decision before Week 1 to place him on IR. However, a new rule for this season allows the team to bring the player back after just three weeks on IR.

In other words, Pineiro is eligible to return this Sunday against the Colts. However, the question will be whether he is ready to return. We have not received a good update on the status of his injury. Even assuming the groin has healed, you have to wonder if he’ll need some time to kick and get his leg in game shape considering he had no preseason to prepare.

For the Bears sake, hopefully, he is a quick healer who can get back on the field this week because they’re going to need him. As it stands now, they are home underdogs by about a field goal. So at least Vegas is telling you it may come down to the kickers.