The Bears activated offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo off the physically unable to perform list on Sunday, per a team announcement.
The move represents an impressive recovery from the second-year offensive lineman, who tore his patellar tendon in a playoff win over the Packers less than seven months ago. Trapilo was originally projected to miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season, but Sunday’s activation will get him back in practice with his teammates and working towards a full return to the field.
The Bears selected Trapilo, 24, with the No. 56 overall pick of last year’s draft after three seasons as a starter at Boston College (two at right tackle, one at left tackle). He worked at both spots during his rookie training camp, competing for the starting job on the blind side while serving as a backup to star right tackle Darnell Wright. Braxton Jones won the left tackle gig; Trapilo did not see the field until Week 4 as an in-game injury replacement for Wright.
But an injury to Jones and struggles from backup Theo Benedet gave Trapilo a crack at the left tackle job, and he responded by allowing just 20 pressures and three sacks across his seven starts, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He looked the part of a long-term left tackle for star quarterback Caleb Williams, as the Bears intended when they drafted him, but his injury against the Packers threw his future into doubt.
Chicago re-signed Jones this offseason to start on the blind side for another year, but Trapilo’s speedy recovery could threaten his job sooner rather than later. Given the severity of his injury, he will likely still go through a ramp-up process in the remaining weeks of camp and may not be ready to play by the Bears’ regular-season opener in four weeks.
In addition to Trapilo’s activation, the Bears also announced injury settlements with defensive back K.C. Eziomume, wide receiver Kyron Hudson, and safety Gervarrius Owens.