NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears didn’t trade for a wide receiver before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. central deadline, but could see a former first-round pick return in a few weeks.
Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic tweets the Bears have “tossed around” the idea of Kevin White returning from injured reserve this season. HOWEVER, the concept hasn’t been seriously discussed.
White is one of nine Bears players on IR, but is the only one eligible to return next week. That will open up a two-week window in which the Bears must decide whether to return him to the active roster or keep him out for the rest of the season.
The first draft pick of GM Ryan Pace’s tenure in Chicago has struggled to stay healthy, suffering a shin injury during the team’s offseason training program in 2015, a fractured fibula in the fourth game of the 2016 season, and a fractured shoulder blade in the team’s season-opening loss against the Atlanta Falcons.
When asked to clarify White’s situation and whether or not he has been ruled out of the season, Adam Hoge of WGN Radio shared Head Coach John Fox’s response:
Follow up: “So White hasn’t been ruled out for the season?”
Fox: "I’m really not answering your question. So, out, in, it’s nothing."
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) October 31, 2017
The Bears can activate two players from injured reserve reserve after the player has been out for eight weeks. Other players who could be considered for a return to the active roster include safety Quintin Demps (broken arm) and safety Deiondre’ Hall (hamstring). Cameron Meredith (torn ACL), edge defender Willie Young (triceps), offensive lineman Eric Kush (hamstring), and long snapper Patrick Scales (knee) are all considered out for the year.
Offensive lineman Jordan Morgan (remember him?) is also on IR (shoulder) in what amounts to be a redshirt year for the Division II product from Kutztown University. Inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman would have joined White as eligible to return soon, but he will miss the next 10 weeks after his second PED-related suspension in as many years.
