Cairo Santos Injury Update: Bears’ Star Kicker Misses First Game in Six Years vs. Commanders

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos missed Monday night’s game against the Washington Commanders, marking his first absence due to injury in six seasons with the team. The veteran, known as the most accurate kicker in franchise history, was sidelined with a quad injury sustained on September 28 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

This rare absence ended Santos’ remarkable streak of durability and consistency since joining the Bears in 2020. In his place, Chicago turned to Jake Moody, a recent practice-squad signing, who handled kicking duties during the Monday Night Football matchup in Landover, Maryland.

Cairo Santos Injury Update: What Happened and What It Means

Santos suffered a quad injury to his kicking leg late last month but continued playing in that game, although he was unable to perform kickoffs. While there was optimism about his return, the Bears ultimately decided to rest him, making him inactive for their primetime clash with Washington.

Jake Moody, who was signed to the practice squad a month ago after being released by the San Francisco 49ers, was promoted to the active roster just hours before kickoff. Moody wasted no time proving himself, converting field goals from 47 and 48 yards in the first quarter alone. He became the seventh player to attempt a field goal for Chicago since the team released long-time kicker Robbie Gould in 2016.

Santos, 33, has been one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers since taking over the starting role in 2020 after Eddy Pineiro’s injury. He holds the franchise record for field goal accuracy at 89.2% and is also the most accurate kicker in Soldier Field history at 88.7%. Monday’s game marked only his second missed contest in six years with the Bears — the first came in 2022 for personal reasons.

For Chicago, Santos’ injury raises questions about the team’s special teams stability. Reliable kicking has been a cornerstone of the Bears’ game plan in recent seasons, and losing their most dependable scorer could affect close games. However, Moody’s strong performance Monday suggests the Bears may have a capable short-term solution if Santos requires additional time to recover.

What Comes Next for Santos and the Bears

The Bears have not announced a specific timeline for Santos’ return, but quad injuries for kickers can vary in recovery time depending on severity. The fact that he was close to playing Monday is an encouraging sign, suggesting he may not be sidelined for long.

Chicago will likely continue monitoring Santos’ progress in practice this week before making a decision on his availability for their next game. In the meantime, Moody will continue to handle kicking duties if necessary, giving the Bears confidence they can manage without their star kicker temporarily.

Cairo Santos’ injury update will be closely watched by Bears fans and NFL analysts alike as the team navigates a crucial stretch of the season. His return will be key to maintaining Chicago’s offensive consistency and special teams strength.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is the latest Cairo Santos injury update?

Cairo Santos missed the Bears’ Monday night game against the Commanders with a quad injury. It’s his first missed game due to injury in six seasons.

Q2: Who replaced Cairo Santos against the Commanders?

Jake Moody replaced Santos and made two field goals in the first quarter. He was signed from the practice squad before the game.

Q3: How long will Cairo Santos be out?

The Bears have not given a specific timeline. Santos was close to playing Monday, suggesting he may return soon.

Q4: How accurate has Cairo Santos been for the Bears?

Santos is the most accurate kicker in Bears history (89.2%) and in Soldier Field history (88.7%).

Q5: Has Cairo Santos missed any games before?

Yes, but only once — in 2022 due to a personal matter. Monday was his first absence due to injury.