Chicago Bears’ defense will have to power through the rest of the 2020 NFL season without one of its key pieces. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Bears disruptive defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris is set to have shoulder surgery this week that will sideline him for five to six months.
Robertson-Harris got injured in Week 7 against New Orleans Saints, but the Bears hoped the injury isn’t too serious and that he’ll have a chance to return to the field later on. However, further tests showed the injury is a lot worse than it originally seemed and that surgery is the only option.
As Rapoport points out, Robertson-Harris is heading to free agency next year after playing on a $3.259 million second-round tender in 2020. This could well mean that the 27-year-old player won’t suit up for Bears anymore, considering his growing reputation around the league and Bears’ salary cap issues.
Roy Robertson-Harris joined the Bears in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of UTEP. The Bears used him mostly as a special teamer in his rookie season, but his ability to make plays earned him a more prominent role on the defensive line in the following year.
Robertson-Harris used the most out of his opportunity and quickly became an indispensable part of the team’s defense. Since turning pro, he played in 52 games (13 starts) and has 7.5 sacks, 75 tackles, 30 QB hits, and six passes defended to show for.
With Robertson-Harris out, Chicago will now most likely turn to veteran Brent Urban and offseason acquisition Mario Edwards Jr. Urban has 1.0 sack and 17 tackles in nine games this season, while Edwards managed 2.0 sacks and seven tackles.
