The Chicago Bears could be without rookie Kevin White for the rest of the 2015 season, as the wide receiver has reportedly been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his shin and surgery could knock him out for the year, which would make Eddie Royal the second starter with Alshon Jeffery.
White was a top 10 pick in the draft this year and he has been sidelined for most of the offseason with a shin injury. According to Pro Football Talk, general manager Ryan Pace announced that White will open the season on the PUP list and that he could be out for the season after having surgery on his shin. Pace said that a "rod will be inserted into White's leg to stabilize his tibia." White came out of West Virginia after a productive season with over 100 catches, 1000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.
The Bears had been mostly coy about the injury this offseason and the team was hopeful that White would be able to play in Week 1. White said as recently as August 14 that he was confident that he wasn't dealing with a stress fracture, but clearly that was not the case. White was expected to miss the entire preseason for the Bears and now he could be out for the regular season as well. White will miss at least the first six games of the season and could be done for the year, which would be a major loss for a team looking to kick start its offense.
Alshon Jeffery is dealing with a calf injury and Pace said that it is not a long term issue. Jeffery comes in after putting up back to back strong seasons with 17 combined touchdowns and he is taking over with Brandon Marshall traded to the Jets. Jeffery has not missed a game over the last two seasons and last year he had 85 catches for 113 yards and a career best 10 touchdowns. Eddie Royal was signed in the offseason and now he likely will step up as the second main wide receiver for Jay Cutler.
The Bears offense put up solid numbers overall last season, but it was very inconsistent and Cutler led the league in interceptions. Royal has been a steady receiver over the past couple years for the Chargers and he has a knack for the end zone, scoring 15 touchdowns in the last two seasons. Last year Royal had his best season since he was a rookie with 62 catches for 778 yards and seven scores. As a rookie Royal put up 91 catches for 980 yards and five touchdowns and that was when Cutler was last in Denver.
Check here for more on Kevin White and his injury.
From the Bears official Twitter: "Bears GM Ryan Pace announces WR Kevin White will undergo surgery on shin and miss at least first 6 games." "Bears GM Ryan Pace says possibility Kevin White could miss entire season."
--August 15, 2015.