The Chicago Bears are entering a crucial season. After signing Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall to contract extensions in the offseason, the team has high expectations and hopes for what 2014 can bring. However, as the second week of training camp continues on, the team is already down an offensive performer. The Bears announced that second-year pro Marquess Wilson would likely miss a majority of the season after suffering an ankle injury meaning the team could make a signing or trade to help with the absence.
Wilson was certainly not a marquee player. In his rookie year he played 10 games and only caught two passes, but the Bears had high hopes for him this season. Wilson landed awkwardly catching a deal ball from Cutler and suffered a left clavicle fracture which will require surgery.
"I'm extremely disappointed," Bears coach Marc Trestman said, via ESPN.com. "He was continuing to ascend. It's football, unfortunately. Just anticipating some questions, let's let this thing simmer for a day and let's respect the situation that's happened. I know the next question is: What's next? There will be a time and a place for that. I just ask that we respect that today."
Wilson spent the offseason working out with Marshall and Alshon Jeffery and he was expected to be a focal point of the offseason. Tight end Martellus Bennett noted that it would be hard to replace him since Wilson had shown so much improvement coming into training camp. For now, the Bears will rely on depth in players like Eric Weems and Josh Morgan, but there is a chance that they take aim at the free agent market for help.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Bears brought in veteran Santonio Holmes for a workout following the injury, but a signing is unlikely. Holmes has been sitting on the market waiting for an injury to take place so some interest would gather around him. He has battled injuries over the past two seasons and was released by the Jets due to salary cap reasons. Chicago was willing to take a look at him, but nothing more appears to be transpiring from that.
The Bears have Jeffery and Marshall along with Bennett as their primary receivers, but Wilson was expected to be that third rotational guy. If the Bears really felt they needed to replace him, they could make a trade for someone, but that is also unlikely. Holmes is the best available free agent right now until someone else gets released elsewhere.
