Chicago Bears

Bears C Will Montgomery has a broken fibula

Published Oct. 5, 2015 9:30 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Chicago Bears beat the Oakland Raiders, 22-20, without starting center Will Montgomery for most of the game on Sunday. After the game, Bears head coach John Fox announced that Montgomery has a broken left fibula, according to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune.

Montgomery went down early in the game, so Matt Slauson had to finish the game at center. Although it's not his natural position, Slauson stepped up and played well enough for the Bears to claim their first win of the season.

"That's part of being a pro," Slauson said, per Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. "I have to do what I'm asked. And in that type of scenario, I have to do it and I can't have any reservations about it."

The Bears should consider alternative options moving forward. While Slauson's grit was enough to grind out a win against the Raiders, Chicago had to overcome a botched center-quarterback exchange that resulted in a lost fumble. A better opponent will take advantage of that type of miscue.

Moving forward, Hroniss Grasu might get in the mix at center. Grasu was a third-round pick in this year's draft, but he wasn't on the active game-day roster for the Bears on Sunday. It's probably time to put him on the fast track toward starting.