Bears activate Larry Borom off IR in time to start Sunday

The Bears activated Larry Borom off injured reserve Saturday, and he’s expected to start at left tackle Sunday against the Cardinals.

Borom, who has 23 career starts, suffered a high ankle sprain in the last preseason game and hasn’t appeared in a game since. He has practiced the last two weeks as part of his ramp-up period and was officially listed as questionable for the game at Arizona.

The Bears also promoted cornerback Reddy Steward from the practice squad, a sign that Tyrique Stevenson’s playing time could be affected in the wake of his Hail Mary histrionics against the Commanders. Coach Matt Eberflus wouldn’t say all week whether he planned to bench Stevenson, who was busy motioning to fans when the Hail Mary was snapped, or cut back his playing time. Starting slot cornerback Kyler Gordon remains questionable with a hamstring injury.

The Bears need help at left tackle after starter Braxton Jones hurt his knee against Washington and with his replacement, rookie third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie, out. He hurt his calf in the same game.

The Bears promoted Jake Curhan, who has 29 career starts at tackle, to the active roster. Guard Ryan Bates, who returned to practice this week while on IR, was ruled out.

Playing Borom — a 2021 fifth-round pick out of Missouri — at left tackle allows the Bears to keep the rest of their O-line intact. Starting guard Teven Jenkins is questionable because of a knee injury, but Eberflus said Friday he was optimistic he’d play.

“We want to make sure we’re not moving multiple spots,” Eberflus said.