Ryan Bates Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Steelers vs Bears game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Jan 7, 2025
Feeling good again
General Manager Ryan Poles said Tuesday that Bates (concussion) is feeling back to himself, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates missed Chicago's last seven games of the campaign because of a concussion he suffered in Week 11 versus the Packers, but it appears he should be ready for team activities come the offseason. He'll compete for a starting job on the interior of the Bears' offensive line in 2025.
Dec 21, 2024
Placed on IR
The Bears placed Bates (concussion) on injured reserve Saturday, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates had already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lions, and now this move knocks him out for the remainder of the regular season. Acquired from the Bills for a fifth-round pick in March, Bates ended up appearing in three games for Chicago this season, spending Weeks 2-9 on injured reserve with shoulder and elbow issues and now missing the final seven games of the year with a concussion. Bates is signed through 2025 and is due a $3.4 million salary next season. He won't be a lock to make the team at that number coming off an injury-ruined campaign.
Dec 20, 2024
Missing another game
Bates (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's outing against the Lions.
ANALYSIS
Bates will miss his fifth straight outing after going down with a concussion in Week 11 versus the Packers. Teven Jenkins should get the start at left guard yet again for the Bears.
Dec 15, 2024
Sidelined again Week 15
Bates (concussion) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against Minnesota.
ANALYSIS
Bates will miss his fourth straight contest while attempting to move past a concussion he suffered Week 12 against Green Bay. Teven Jenkins will likely continue to start at left guard for Chicago.
Dec 6, 2024
Remaining sidelined for Week 14
Bates (concussion) did not practice Friday and has been ruled out for Sunday's game against San Francisco.
ANALYSIS
Bates was diagnosed with a concussion during the Bears' Week 11 loss to the Packers, and he will miss a third straight game as a result. The fact he hasn't returned to practice since the diagnosis indicates that Bates has not been able to progress through the league's five-step concussion protocols, which makes a return for Week 15 against the Vikings an uphill battle. Teven Jenkins will continue to start at left guard for the Bears in Bates' absence.
Nov 27, 2024
Out again for Week 13
Bates (concussion) is out for Thursday's game against the Lions.
ANALYSIS
Bates has played in just three games this season due to shoulder issues and a concussion he suffered in Week 11 against the Packers. Teven Jenkins has been starting at left guard for the Bears.
Nov 22, 2024
Ruled out for Week 12
Bates (concussion) won't play against Minnesota on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Bates suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss to Green Bay and hasn't been able to practice this week. The Bears have a quick turnaround after Week 12 with a Thanksgiving Day game against Detroit, and Bates will need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol by then in order to be able to suit up in Week 13. Teven Jenkins is likely to start at left guard until Bates is able to return.
Nov 17, 2024
Won't return vs. Packers
Bates (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against Green Bay, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates was diagnosed with a concussion after being hit in the head in the first quarter of Sunday's game. Jake Curhan will remain at left guard for the rest of the contest.
Nov 17, 2024
Enters concussion protocols
Bates (head) has entered concussion protocols and is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Packers.
ANALYSIS
Bates got the start at left guard Sunday in place of Teven Jenkins (ankle). Jake Curhan will fill in at left guard while Bates is being evaluated for a concussion.
Nov 10, 2024
Will play vs. New England
Bates (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
Bates was activated off IR on Saturday, and he will be available for Sunday's game, though it's unclear whether he'll start or serve in a backup role on the Bears' offensive line.
Nov 9, 2024
Activated off IR
The Bears activated Bates (shoulder) from injured reserve Saturday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates is questionable to play Sunday against the Patriots, but he's trending towards suiting up after being a full practice participant all week. It's unclear whether he'll start or provide depth for Chicago's offensive line should he play.
Oct 30, 2024
Back on field
Bates (shoulder) was designated to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates now has a 21-day window to practice with the team before needing to be placed on the active roster. Although the Bears only held a walkthrough Wednesday, the Penn State product was listed as a limited participant for the session.
Sep 14, 2024
Placed on injured reserve
The Bears placed Bates (shoulder/elbow) on IR on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Bates' spot on the active roster will be taken by offensive lineman Scott Daly. With Bates out at least the next four games, Nate Davis will have to take over at RG in a full time role, beginning Sunday night versus the Texans.
Sep 13, 2024
Out for Sunday
Bates (shoulder/elbow) has been ruled out for Sunday night's game against the Texans.
ANALYSIS
Bates played 38 offensive snaps in the Week 1 win over the Titans, rotating playing time with starting right guard Nate Davis, who was in for 18 plays. Davis should get the nod in that spot versus Houston.
Mar 4, 2024
Heading to Chicago
The Bills agreed to trade Bates to the Bears on Monday in exchange for a fifth-round pick, Chris Brown of the Bills Radio Network reports.
ANALYSIS
The trade will not become official until March 13 pending Bates' physical. The 27-year-old suited up for all 17 games in 2023 as a reserve guard. He will now look to take advantage of his new opportunity in Chicago.
Sep 29, 2023
Good to Sunday
Bates (ankle) is good to go for Sunday's game against Miami, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates was dealing with an ankle injury earlier in the week but is now seemingly healthy again. The 26-year-old saw some action last week after Mitch Morse left the game, but with Morse playing this week Bates will be relegated to backup duties.
Sep 25, 2023
Day-to-day with injury
Head coach Sean McDermott noted Monday that Bates is dealing with an ankle issue and is considered day-to-day, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates played in eight snaps Sunday in relief for starting center Mitch Morse. His availability for Week 4 against the Dolphins will depend on his practice participation throughout the upcoming week.
Dec 24, 2022
Back in Saturday's game
Bates (knee) returned to Saturday's contest at Chicago, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
After a brief spell on the sideline spanning the end of the second and start of the third quarters, Bates was able to reassume center duties for the Bills.
Dec 24, 2022
Picks up knee injury
Bates departed Saturday's game in Chicago due to a knee injury.
ANALYSIS
During a 15-yard scramble by Bills quarterback Josh Allen late in the second quarter, Bates suffered the health concern. After sitting out Week 15 with an ankle issue, Bates' status moving forward will be one to watch as the team's starting center.
Dec 21, 2022
Back in full Wednesday
Bates (ankle) practiced fully Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Bates didn't suit up last weekend against Miami due to an ankle issue, but his ability to practice without limitations Wednesday suggests that he'll be ready to reclaim his usual starting right guard spot in Week 16 versus the Bears.
Dec 15, 2022
Will miss Week 15
Bates (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game with the Dolphins, Alec White of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates exited Sunday's win over the Jets with the injury, which was reported as a low-ankle sprain earlier in the week. He was expected to be day-to-day, but it appears that he ultimately may be more week-to-week with him being ruled out for Week 15's game with Miami already. In his absence, Greg Van Roten and Bobby Hart would be candidates to start at right guard.
Dec 12, 2022
May not miss time
Head coach Sean McDermott said Monday that Bates (ankle) is day-to-day, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.
ANALYSIS
It was reported earlier Monday by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com that Bates suffered a low-ankle sprain, and it was not expected to be a long-term injury. He'll likely spend the week rehabbing his ankle, while working to be able to suit up Saturday against the Dolphins. If he's unable to play, Greg Van Roten will likely handle the right guard position.
Dec 12, 2022
Dealing with sprain
Bates suffered a low-ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Jets, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates will have one less day to recover from the injury with the Bills playing on Saturday this week. However, the good news is he dodged a more significant injury, and the amount of time he may miss should be minimal. He'll spend the the week ahead rehabbing his ankle while working to suit up Saturday against the Dolphins. If he is unable to play, Greg Van Roten will likely handle starting at right guard.
Dec 11, 2022
Exits with injury
Bates (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Jets, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates sustained an ankle injury at some point during the second half, leaving the Bills without their starting right guard against the Jets' stout defensive line. With the 25-year-old sidelined, Greg Van Roten appears to have stepped in for the time being, per Getzenberg.
Sep 30, 2022
Ready for Week 4
Bates (concussion) returned to practice in a full capacity Friday.
ANALYSIS
Bates will be ready to go for the Bills' Week 4 matchup with the Ravens after clearing concussion protocols Friday. He will be back in his starting role at right guard as Buffalo looks to get back in the win column Sunday.
Sep 26, 2022
Enters concussion protocols
Bates suffered a concussion in the Bills' 21-19 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, Maddy Glab of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates will need to clear protocols to be able to suit up Sunday against the Ravens. With Tommy Doyle (knee) out moving forward, and Mitch Morse (elbow) nursing an injury, the Bills offensive line is currently lacking healthy bodies. If Bates is unable to play Sunday, Greg Van Roten will likely draw the start at right guard.
Mar 28, 2022
Offer sheet will be matched
The Bills will match the offer sheet that Bates signed with the Bears last week, ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Bates' deal is a four-year pact. The 25-year-old will thus remain in Buffalo, where he'll continue to provide the Bills offensive line with depth and versatility.
Mar 24, 2022
Signing offer sheet with Chicago
Bates intends to sign an offer sheet with the Bears on Thursday, Mike Kaye of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.
ANALYSIS
Once Bates has signed Chicago's sheet, the Bills will have five days to decide between matching the offer or allowing Bates to walk without compensation. A restricted free agent, Bates boasts both youth and upside, and he could fill a notable hole for the Bears' interior O-line.
Jan 7, 2022
Clear of injury report
Bates (knee) isn't listed on Friday's injury report, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates logged a full practice Friday after being limited during the first two sessions of the week. With Ike Boettger (Achilles) sidelined, the 24-year-old Bates is expected to draw his third straight start at left guard.
Jan 3, 2022
Questionable for Sunday
Bates (knee) is day-to-day according the head coach Sean McDermott, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.
ANALYSIS
Bates has yet to miss a game this season and with six days to game day, McDermott's timeline seems to favor a return to the field Sunday against the Jets.
Sep 8, 2021
Clear of injury report
Bates (hand) isn't listed on Wednesday's injury report.
ANALYSIS
Bates picked up a hand injury during the preseason finale, bit it won't affect his availability for Week 1. He should serve as the backup center behind Mitch Morse.
Aug 28, 2021
Suffers hand injury Saturday
Bates suffered a hand injury during Saturday's preseason contest against the Packers.
ANALYSIS
Bates was listed as questionable to return, but the full extent of the injury is unknown. He is slated to be the Buffalo's primary backup center behind Mitch Morse during the 2021 campaign.
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