With the Chicago Bears thin at the tight end position, they’re taking every opportunity to evaluate preseason stud Jesper Horsted to see if he’s got a future on this team.
Horsted, who’s only played tight end for six months, insists that it’s going to take him time to truly learn the position. But he did prove to be the Bears’ most promising prospect coming out of preseason.
‘‘Even though I’m a fast study, it’s going to take time — more than a few months,’’ Horsted said Wednesday, via the Sun-Times. ‘‘I’m going in the right direction, but by no means am I a full-on tight end yet.’’
Trey Burton, the Bears’ primary “U” or pass-catching tight end, is on injured reserve with a calf/groin injury, and the Bears are exploring their options with Horsted at the “U” position. Aside from Ben Braunecker, who played 50 offensive snaps against the Rams, Horsted is the only healthy option at the “U” position.
Horsted, an undrafted rookie out of Princeton, impressed during the preseason, where he had the Bears’ only two touchdown receptions. But it was his ability to make contested catches that certainly drew heads.
Horsted said that Burton and Brauncker, among others, have helped him learn the position.
‘‘They’re extremely good at it — like, so much better than I expected coming into the NFL,’’ Horsted said. ‘‘They’ve been so helpful. Not only when I go to them to ask them a question, but they will be on my case on the sideline: ‘So what do you have on this play? When are we killing this play?’ Maybe to a point where I’m like: ‘All right, leave me alone. I’m trying to watch.’ ’’
While Horsted isn’t expected to play a full-time role, as Braunecker will fill that spot, he serves to get some reps on offense and special teams.
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