The Chicago Bear s are entering into training camp with almost everyone at full health. As several players enter a crucial season under new head coach Marc Trestman, eliminating injuries will be a big concern. With Jay Cutler still fighting for an extension, he will have his two top receivers healthy to practice with.
Both Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are fully recovered from their injuries and will not be held back during training camp. Marshall was held out of offseason workouts while he recovered from offseason hip surgery. He has been cleared to practice at the start of camp.
"No limitations," Marshall told ESPNChicago. "But we're gonna be smart. I'm going on my eighth year, have had three hip surgeries. Nothing major but we start playing games in September. I'm going to listen to my body, and go as it tells me."
Jeffery is returning after missing six games last season due to knee and hand injuries. He too did not participate in any offseason workouts due to a hamstring injury that plagued him over the summer. With both Jeffery and Marshall healthy, Cutler will have a strong wide receiving tandem to work with throughout the year. Marshall set a franchise record last season with 118 receptions and he thinks that led to his injuries. He hopes Cutler takes advantage of other players.
"That's probably the reason I got hurt last year, I had so many receptions," Marshall said. "So I'm actually looking forward to passing some along to Martellus (Bennett) and Alshon. I had 118 and the next had 29. That's a problem.
Cutler recognizes that he has more receivers to work with than just Marshall. The quarterback credits Bennett for having a strong spring season and he is hoping tight ends like Joe Anderson really develops in camps. With several players out during the spring, Tresman thought it was a great opportunity to get a look at the younger players.
"What it amounted to for us was an opportunity for us to get a good look at some of the younger guys, newer guys, against some of our better players on defense. There are things we can control as coaches; we can't control when guys are in there," Trestman said. "It's part of football and we try and turn it into a positive."
Trestman was happy Cutler got work in with other players. He is hopeful that a strong rotation will continue throughout training camp.
