The Chicago Bears announced on Tuesday that rookie cornerback Zah Frazier will miss the entire 2024 season due to a ‘personal’ reason that has kept him from participating in the team’s entire offseason program. Frazier, a fifth-round pick out of UTSA, was only able to take the practice field during rookie minicamp due to what general manager Ryan Poles said happened ‘before he got here.’
Frazier was placed on the non-football injury list. Poles described the situation as a ‘complicated deal,’ indicating that the team has been working to resolve the issue. He emphasized the importance of the team’s support for Frazier’s well-being, even though it came at the cost of a full season missed.
‘He had a situation that presented itself in a category that I would say (is) personal,’ Poles told reporters. ‘As we dug into it, tried to help him out, it revealed itself as something that happened before he got here. So, credit to our staff finding the root cause of what he was going through.’
Despite the setback, Poles expressed optimism about Frazier’s future with the Bears. ‘He’ll be down for the year but he’ll spend time going to meetings, in the weight room and the medical staff preparing for next season to get ready to play.’
Frazier has impressive intangibles, running a 4.36 40-yard dash with a nearly 6’3″ frame at the NFL Combine. His six interceptions in his final college season were a school record after he struggled to stay on the field in the previous two seasons.
He was named to the All-AAC First-Team and even spent two seasons playing at a community college in Kansas. These experiences have prepared him for the challenge of the NFL, but the personal circumstances have forced him to take a step back.
The Bears’ decision to place Frazier on the non-football injury list highlights the team’s commitment to player health and well-being. While the absence is a significant blow to the team’s defensive depth, especially in the secondary, the organization remains focused on supporting Frazier’s long-term goals and future with the franchise.