The Chicago Bears finally have most of their wide receivers back on the practice field, but that does not mean they are all ready to play for Week 1. The Bears have been hit hard by injuries this preseason which is stalling the development of the offense heading into the game against the Green Bay Packers. Already without first-round draft pick Kevin White, the Bears are uncertain whether or not Eddie Royal and Alshon Jeffery will be ready to play.
Royal, Jeffery and Marquess Wilson are all back at practice, but they remain limited after various injuries kept them out of the preseason. Head coach John Fox would not confirm who would be available Week 1, throwing off fantasy owners everywhere. According to ESPN Chicago, Wilson appears to be back at full speed with the team while Royal and Jeffery are unknown right now. Royal has been practicing all week while Jeffery just made his debut a few days ago and while Fox said he looks good, he is uncertain whether the starting receiver will play.
"He looks pretty functional and he looks pretty good," Fox said, via ESPN. "We're just taking it one day at a time and we'll see where that brings us. I think everything was on target and we'll evaluate him and see what he can do tomorrow."
Jeffery told the media that he plans on listening to the training staff when it comes to playing on his calf injury. The wide receiver is hopeful that he plays on Sunday, but is leaving the decision up to the coaching staff at this point. If Jeffery or Royal is unable to play, the Bears do not have a lot of depth they can work with. Joshua Bellamy and tight end Zach Miller could see a lot of work against the Packers to help make up for offensive issues. Fox has no plans on making a call about any of the injured wideouts until Sunday which could give everyone time to heal up.
"We still have time before Sunday," Fox said, via ESPN.com. "First of all he has to be healthy. He hasn't been out here in some time. Based on what I saw today, mentally he's on top of it. Physically he looks like he's gaining ground."
Despite the injury issues, Cutler remains confident in the Bears improving this year. With Adam Gase as the offensive coordinator, passing will be first while Matt Forte headlines the rushing attack. His record against the Packers does not offer up much confidence to fans, but the quarterback is simply focused on playing well.
"I mean, every year you start over," Cutler said, via ESPN.com. "This year we've got a whole new group. We've got a lot of young guys; we've got a lot of new guys that don't understand. They haven't been in the rivalry as long as me and Matt Forte and Robbie Gould and some other guys. We'll catch them up and we're just going to treat it like we did the first game last year."
