Bears sign OL Depth – Robert Turner

Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

With an MCL injury to back-up C/G Brian de la Puente and poor play Friday from back-up centers Taylor Boggs and Dylan Gandy, it is no surprise that the Bears made a move to bolster their interior line depth. The Bears signed G/C Robert Turner, a 7-year NFL vet, who was with the Tennessee Titans last year.

Turner entered the league in 2007 as an undrafted free agent from New Mexico. He spent the first 5 years of his career with the Jets, starting just 2 games but appearing in 41 as a reserve. Turner spent 2012 with the Rams and started all 16 games. He started 9 games at center and performed very well with a 7.7 grade from Pro Football Focus. His other 7 starts were at LG, but struggled with a -7.2 grade. Last year Turner was with the Titans and started the first 6 games of the season at center before being benched due to struggles in the run game and then being placed on the IR with a shoulder injury.

Turner has shown signs of being a solid center in his career and his struggles last season may have had more to do with a shoulder injury than lack of talent. Even if Turner doesn’t make the team, it is a good idea to bring in an experienced center after de le Puente’s injuries and the struggles of Boggs and Gandy on Friday night. If Turner, who is just 29, can finds his 2012 form the Bears could have found themselves a capable back-up on the interior line.