Patrick Scales has been sidelined with a soft-tissue injury to his back, missing several weeks of practice. With his absence, backup long snapper Cameron Lyons has had a mixed performance during the preseason. The Bears are considering their options regarding Scales, including potentially placing him on injured reserve if his recovery appears prolonged. This situation could require them to explore bringing in additional long snapper candidates if Lyons cannot meet the team's needs. Scales' status is critical as the team finalizes its roster, and his injury may significantly influence their decisions on the back end of the roster.