Adam Shaheen’s long-awaited return appears to finally be here:
The #Bears are activating TE Adam Shaheen off injured reserve, source says. Last year’s second-round pick is back. TE Dion Sims headed to IR with a concussion.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 17, 2018
A source informs NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo that Chicago Bears tight end Dion Sims will be placed on injured reserve with a concussion, which clears a roster spot for Shaheen to re-join the team on the 53-man roster. Shaheen has missed the first nine games of the regular season due to a foot/ankle injury he suffered in an August preseason game, but recently returned to the practice field and shared optimism regarding his return. The road to recovery has been long and arduous for Shaheen, but the timing couldn’t be better for the 2017 second-round pick. Shaheen now joins an offense that ranks in the top-10 in yards per play led by a quarterback who targeted him successfully during his rookie season. Without diving too deep into the data, Shaheen enters an offensive situation that is better now than it was at any point in the 2017 season.
If Shaheen is healthy enough to give it a go and join the active game-day 46-man roster, he will slot in as the No. 1 “Y” tight end option. In the offensive system installed by Head Coach Matt Nagy, the “Y” tight end is an in-line blocker, but also has capabilities to be a factor in the passing game. Shaheen appeared to just scratch the surface of his potential during his rookie season, making the most of the fact that a healthy chunk of his playing time came in the red zone by turning three of his four red zone receptions into touchdowns. And while he caught just 12 passes for 127 yards, Shaheen’s 6-foot-5-inch, 270-pound frame represents the type of big-bodied target Mitch Trubisky can take advantage of in any situation. The Bears were using Shaheen between the 20s during the preseason and I’m curious to see if that trend returns as soon as Sunday night’s game against the Vikings.
The Bears using a designation to return off injured reserve for Shaheen and likely holding onto hope that they can do the same for Kyle Long when his eight-week stint on IR is up, this likely ends the season for Sims. This is the second extended period this season Sims has dealt with concussion issues. During the preseason, Sims didn’t travel with the team due to concussion issues. So while we don’t often see players head to IR because of concussions, it’s clear something isn’t quite right with Sims. We hope he gets healthy and recovers soon. Head injuries aren’t to be taken lightly.
