The Chicago Bears have been struggling this preseason with their biggest playmakers sidelined with injuries. As Jay Cutler enters a critical year for his future with the franchise, he needs all the help he can get and that was not present during all of training camp and the preseason. With Kevin White likely out for the season, the pressure is on the remaining wide receivers to step up, but injuries have hurt the effort. However, with the first game just days away, Alshon Jeffery made his return to the field.
According to John Mullin of CSNChicago.com, Jeffery returned to practice and is expected to play Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers. Jeffery has been missing in action for the entire preseason following a calf injury and there was a lot of doubt that he would be playing in the season opener with head coach John Fox remaining coy about his return. This is an important season for the wide receiver as he enters the final year of his contract with the team. Jeffery stressed he is not concerned and is focused on getting healthy and winning.
"I feel comfortable if I'm out there on Sunday or the next game or the next game after that," Jeffery said, via CSNChicago.com. "I feel pretty comfortable. I'm just taking it one day at a time and listening to what the trainers and coaches say. My contract situation has nothing to do with it. It'll take care of itself. I wasn't at practice because I've been injured. If you've ever had a calf injury, any of you guys, you would know."
Jeffery's return is paired with Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson also coming back to practice from injuries. Royal and Wilson will have a week of practice under their belts before the first game while Jeffery will only have a few days. Their returns are a sigh of relief for Cutler. However, the Bears could still opt to bring someone on from the free agent market to help replace White. There is talent in players like Reggie Wayne, Hakeem Nicks, Kenbrell Thompkins and Wes Welker available for the taking.
Jeffery is not the only player looking to have a big season. Matt Forte is also entering the final year of his contract and is hopeful an extension will be given despite hitting the 30-year-old mark that can be deadly for running backs. Martellus Bennett is also looking for a contract despite having two years remaining on his deal with the Bears. Both Forte and Bennett were preseason holdouts until training camp.
