Chicago Bears activate OL Alex Leatherwood ahead of matchup with Dallas Cowboys

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood appears to be a go for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Bears officially activated him from the reserve/non-football illness list on Friday.

Leatherwood signed with the Bears after the Las Vegas Raiders surprisingly waived him after training camp. He was expected to play a key role on Chicago’s rebuilding offensive line protecting Justin Fields, but came down with mononucleosis in September.

Now, he’s preparing to make his Bears debut when they take on the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.

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After a standout career at Alabama, Leatherwood was selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but struggled as a rookie and ended up getting waived after a new coaching staff took over this year. Last year, Leatherwood recorded the worst pass-blocking grade of any rookie since 2006, but is hoping to turn things around on the Chicago Lakefront.

Chicago’s offensive line has been a major question mark this season as Fields has been sacked 27 times — the most in the NFL. Leatherwood’s return comes at a good time as tackle Larry Borom has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against Dallas with an injury, meaning head coach Matt Eberflus has to decide if Leatherwood or Riley Reiff will start at right tackle.

Leatherwood starred at Alabama before going to the NFL

Leatherwood was a Five Star Plus+ recruit coming out of Booker T. Washington High School (FL.). He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the nation in the 2017 signing class and the No. 1 offensive lineman, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.. He committed to Alabama as a junior.

The lineman went on to play in seven games as a freshman, including seeing significant playing time in the 2018 CFP National Championship Game. He stepped in the game at left tackle after Jonah Williams went down with an injury.

As a sophomore, Leatherwood moved first to right tackle, then right guard, starting every game at right guard. He moved back to left tackle prior to his junior season, earning first-team All-SEC by the league’s coaches. As a senior, Leatherwood started every game and received first-team All-SEC recognition and the Outland Trophy.

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.