When the Chicago Bears drafted Kevin White in the first round in 2015, they thought they were getting the next Brandon Marshall. After trading the veteran to the New York Jets, the Bears were in search of another player to become a franchise star. White was the best option after Amari Cooper was taken. However, he has yet to look like the star Chicago wanted thanks to injuries and while he made a return to the practice, he will not see game time.
According to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune, White will not be activated and is expected to be put on season-ending injured reserve within the week. This does not necessarily come as a surprise. White had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his shin during offseason workouts. He did manage to get on the field a few weeks ago with the hope that he could see some game time with the season wrapping up, but instead his progress was not great enough and the Bears will not be making the move. When asked about the move, White told the Tribune, "Whatever they want me to do, then that's what I'll do."
While White will not make his debut until next season, the Bears will at least be getting back on healthy receiver for the short-term. According to ESPN's Jeff Dickerson, Eddie Royal is expected to be active for Week 14 after missing time for a knee injury. That will be good news for Alshon Jeffery who has been carrying the receiving load. With Martellus Bennett now on injured reserve, Royal and Jeffery will be critical to keeping the team afloat in the final weeks. Marquess Wilson might be out for Week 14 while Zach Miller is dealing with rib injuries.
"It would be huge for us [to get Royal back on Sunday]," Jay Cutler said, via ESPN.com. "He's a smart player and knows the offense. Just get some more quickness I think. Some catch and run, some separation between the numbers, that will really help us out."
With the wide receiver group having question marks around it, the Bears will try and rely on the run game against the Redskins. Jeremy Langford has been a breakout star this season for the team while Matt Forte is proving age is just a number. Forte has been getting the starts while Langford still sees significant playing time. The veteran is fighting for a role in the future with the Bears as his contract is expiring. Forte simply laughed about being 30 making it clear he still has plenty in the tank.
"I'm dead. I'm an old man. I feel like I'm so old, man," Forte said, via ESPN.com. "Yesterday I was 29 years old, running around all practice. Today it took me like one extra minute to get going. It's taken a toll on me. I can probably play 12 or 13 years, or something like that. I think when I came out of college I said I'd like to play at least 10 years."
