NEWSLETTER
We’ve reached the point of training camp where injuries are piling up. And while some are more serious than others, N’Keal Harry’s high-ankle sprain ranks among the most problematic for these Bears. Because not only is Harry a player this team swung a trade for in June, he was part of a position group that is beset by injuries and was already looking undermanned to begin with.
This could’ve been Harry’s time to shine. Harry could’ve won significant playing time with a good showing at camp and in the preseason had he not been put on the sidelines with last week’s injury. But the silver lining in this cloud is that his injury isn’t a season-ender.
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reports surgery could knock Harry out for just eight weeks:
While not great news, it could be worse. This is a better diagnosis than we could’ve imagined after the initial news broke.
Now that we have a timetable for Harry’s return, the ball is in the Bears’ court. The team could open a spot on the 90-player summertime roster by placing Harry on IR. And if the recovery process goes well, Harry could be designated for a return possibly in November. Keep in mind that the NFL allows eight players who can be designated for return from injured reserve in a given season. That is down from the unlimited number we saw over the last two years. However, that still gives teams plenty of wiggle room. And considering the Bears sent a draft pick to New England to acquire Harry in a trade, the IR stash possibility with the intent to evaluate when healthy down the stretch is a possibility.
