Injuries continue to be the storyline for the Chicago Bears. The season started by the team losing their first-round pick to a shin injury and surgery and it simply continued from there. Almost everyone on the offense has dealt with some kind of issue this season and missed time on the field. Week 13 will be no different as the team prepares to get Martellus Bennett back, they could be losing two wide receivers.
According to ESPN's Jeff Dickerson, both Marquess Wilson and Eddie Royal might not be on the field in Week 13 as the Bears try and get the momentum moving after beating the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. Royal has been out for several weeks now with a knee injury that was not supposed to be season ending, but he has yet to get on the field because of it. Now Wilson could be out. Dickerson reports the receiver hurt his foot in practice and has been out because of that. Wilson is third on the team in yards with 464 on the season. He has been forced to step up with injuries to Kevin White and Royal so having him out in Week 13 could be a big issue for Jay Cutler.
Bennett will be returning to the field although he is not the happiest man on the roster right now. According to the Chicago Tribune, Bennett is not happy with his role in the offense and he is not happy that he was forced to sit out in Week 12 with a rib injury. Now he is back and facing trade rumors which is leaving Cutler to defend his tight end.
"I haven't heard him say anything either publicly or privately that he's angry about anything," Cutler said, via the Chicago Sun Times.
It is unclear if Bennett is becoming a distraction of not. The tight end has faced trade rumors in the past and could again as the Bears decide about re-signing Alshon Jeffery and Forte. Bennett holds plenty of value in the league and if available, teams will flock to getting a deal done. Chicago could get a nice return on the veteran.
Another familiar face is starting to be seen more consistently at Bears practice. White has made his return to the field, but fans might not want to expect seeing him play this season. The Bears have a window where they can opt to activate the rookie or not. ESPN originally reported that while White was back to practice, there was no timetable for his return and he still had a long ways to go before being fully healthy. According to the receiver, he simply wants to play.
"I'm itching to play," White said, via ESPN.com. "If I wasn't itching to play, I wouldn't be out there. It's really important. If it wasn't important I would be in the training room, I would just tell Ryan Pace or John Fox to put me in injured reserve. But I want to play. I'm very aware [of the timetable]. I know exactly when, still being smart with it but I'm aware."