The Chicago Bears are trying to spend their bye week getting healthy. With injuries running wild on the roster, a week off will give players like Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal time to heal lingering injuries. The bye week also could bring the return of some familiar faces as the Bears got a welcomed surprise when Kevin White took the practice field for the first time since undergoing surgery on his shin. Could the rookie receiver be set to play sometime this season?
According to Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun Times, White is elgible to return to practice and has been seen doing light running on the field after undergoing surgery before the season began. However, fans should not expect to see him in a game anytime soon. After being placed on short-term injured reserve, White is allowed back on the field, but the Bears have yet to make the call about whether or not he will be added to the 53-man roster.
"As I said, with all injuries, and Kevin is no different, he'll be evaluated," Fox said, via the Sun Times. "And when he is deemed healthy, we'll start that window that typically happens with reserved PUP."
Most team sources report that the rookie is still ways away from getting on the field which is ok for the Bears at the moment since Jeffery returned for Week 6 play. The wide receiver continues to be on and off the field with injuries which is certainly not welcomed by quarterback Jay Cutler. Jeffery came back strong against Detroit with eight catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. That was certainly welcomed by Chicago as they try and determine just what kind of investment they plan on making in the receiver as he plays out the final year of his contract.
"It's almost just, let him get out there and throw it up to him and see what happens, because the majority of the time he's going to come down with it," Royal said, via the Sun-Times. "He's one of the best I've ever seen with making a play on the ball when it's in the air. He did that a number of times for us (Sunday), and we were missing that, and it's great to have him back."
With Jeffery back, Royal, Marquess Wilson and Cameron Meredith highlight the receiving corps for Cutler. Those four along with Matt Forte and Martellus Bennett appear to be enough for Cutler. By Week 11, White could get back on the field, but the Bears could easily opt to simply keep him out for the season if the playoffs are not within reach.