Bears center Cody Whitehair is officially out for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints at Soldier Field. Whitehair suffered a calf injury in Monday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Backup center Sam Mustipher will likely make his first career start. Mustipher filled in for Whitehair in the second half on Monday. Mustipher is a former Notre Dame center who played in the College Football Playoff and signed with the Bears as an undrafted rookie in 2019.
Bears head coach Matt Nagy called Mustipher a “natural-born leader” on Friday.
A number of other Bears remain questionable for Sunday due to injuries. Outside linebacker Khalil Mack (ankle), receiver Allen Robinson (concussion), receiver/running back Cordarrelle Patterson (quad), safety Eddie Jackson (knee) defensive back Sherrick McManis (hamstring) are all listed as questionable for Sunday.
Robinson took a hit to the helmet late in the game Monday. He didn’t practice at all this week.
Jackson and McManis returned to full participation in practice on Friday, which is a good sign. Patterson and Mack were limited practice participants Friday after missing the previous two days of practice.