Injury lands Bears Pro Bowler Kyle Long in walking boot

BOURBONNAIS — Bears guard Kyle Long was spotted with a walking boot on his lower left leg Thursday, two hours after an injury meant he didn’t finish the Bears’ first training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University.

Coach John Fox said after practice he thought Long, who went down to a knee during drills, had a calf injury.

The presence of a boot doesn’t necessarily make the injury a serious one, but it means Long’s injury was more substantial than, say, a cramp.

The three-time Pro Bowler returned to his right guard position this season after being moved to right tackle on the eve of Opening Day last year. He spoke to the media Wednesday about continuity on the offensive line.

“In a perfect world, you’d love to be able to say, ‘These are our 11. These are our five O-linemen. That’s what we’re doing,’” Long said. “But as you guys know, the game of football, anything can happen. I stub a toe on that door, I can’t go tomorrow, who’s going to be at right guard? That’s kind of the nature of the beast.

“We’ll be really lucky if we get to have a seamless transition into the season but we know how football goes, so knock on wood. That’s just part of the game.”