Tag: 2022 training camp

Updated look at Bears wide receiver depth after N’Keal Harry’s surgery

With N’Keal Harry undergoing surgery on his high-ankle sprain, here’s a look at where the Bears’ wide receiver depth stands.

Bears wide receiver N’Keal Harry is undergoing tightrope surgery on Thursday after suffering a high-ankle sprain on Aug. 6, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The timetable for his return is eight weeks, which isn’t as significant as it could’ve been in the grand scheme of things. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney told reporters Wednesday that Harry was in good spirits after getting the news.

With the NFL’s new rules involving IR — where a player must miss at least four games — Harry could return as early as Week 5 against the Vikings. That’s in line with the eight-week timetable for his return.

Other wideouts dealing with non-significant injuries include Byron Pringle, rookie Velus Jones Jr. and Dante Pettis. David Moore suffered what appears to be a. significant leg injury on Tuesday, but we don’t know the extent yet. Still, it’s safe to say that Chicago’s receiver depth took a brutal blow.

Following Harry’s injury, here’s a look at the Bears’ wide receiver depth:

Bears WR N’Keal Harry undergoing surgery, will be sidelined around 8 weeks

Bears WR N’Keal Harry is undergoing surgery after suffering a high-ankle sprain. The timeline for his return is around 8 weeks.

Bears wide receiver N’Keal Harry is undergoing tightrope surgery on Thursday morning after suffering a high-ankle sprain, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The timeline for Harry’s return is around eight weeks, which means he could be back around October depending on how things pan out. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Harry recently consulted Dr. Robert Anderson, who is performing the surgery.

Harry suffered a high ankle-sprain back on Aug. 6 during practice, when he was tackled by safety Eddie Jackson and linebacker Nicholas Morrow during the start of a team period. He had difficulty putting any weight on it and was helped to the locker room.

Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney told reporters Wednesday that he recently spoke with Harry, who shared that Harry is in good spirits. He also knows his timetable for return. While Mooney didn’t share the information, he did say “I’m happy.”

While eight weeks isn’t ideal, if Harry is in good spirits, perhaps the original fear was that he’d be sidelined for the entire season.

With Harry sidelined, the Bears wide receiver depth takes a brutal hit. Right now, Chicago is without four of its presumed top six receivers. Byron Pringle (quad, more than day-to-day), rookie Velus Jones Jr. (undisclosed, day-to-day) and Dante Pettis (undisclosed, day-to-day) are also sidelined.

During Tuesday’s Family Fest, David Moore went down with what appeared to be a serious leg injury and his status is currently unknown.

[listicle id=513035]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=none image=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

6 free agent receivers the Bears should target as injuries mount

Given there are injuries to multiple wide receivers, the Bears should consider targeting free agency for some additional depth.

The Bears are two weeks into training camp, and the injuries have started to mount. Notably, the wide receiver group can’t seem to catch a break.

Veteran receivers N’Keal Harry and David Moore have suffered long-term injuries and will miss multiple weeks. Another veteran, Byron Pringle, is dealing with a quad injury, and it’s unknown when he’ll return.

Rookie Velus Jones Jr. has also missed multiple practices and is “day-to-day” with an undisclosed injury.

Given there are multiple receivers with long-term or unknown injuries, the Bears should consider signing additional players for depth. Here are six free agents they should consider.

WATCH: Bears press conferences from 12th training camp practice

The Bears returned to Halas Hall for their 12th practice of training camp, where Darnell Mooney, Jaquan Brisker and more met with the media.

The Chicago Bears returned to Halas Hall for their 12th training camp practice on Wednesday, which comes just a couple of days before their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs.

There were plenty of storylines from Day 12 of training camp, which featured a much better performance by the offense. Despite missing most of his top wideouts, quarterback Justin Fields had an impressive outing, which included a nice connection with Isaiah Coulter. Not to mention, the first unofficial depth chart was released.

Here’s a look at the press conferences following Wednesday’s practice, which featured special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, safety Jaquan Brisker and kicker Cairo Santos.

STC Richard Hightower

WR Darnell Mooney

S Jaquan Brisker

K Cairo Santos

[listicle id=513111]

 

Bear Necessities: Robert Quinn praises rookie Braxton Jones’ upside

Left tackle Braxton Jones has been battling Robert Quinn throughout training camp, and Quinn certainly sees the upside in the rookie.

This is our online morning newsletter, Bear Necessities. Subscribe to get the latest Bears news delivered to your mailbox every day.

When the Bears released their first unofficial depth chart on Wednesday, it wasn’t a surprise to see fifth-round rookie Braxton Jones listed as the starting left tackle.

That’s because Jones has been impressing the coaching staff dating back to the spring, and it’s continued into the summer. For the last week, Jones has been the only player taking first-team reps at left tackle, an indication that’s his position to lose.

For a rookie like Jones, going up against All-Pro defensive end Robert Quinn is certainly a learning experience. And Quinn definitely sees the upside in Jones.

“Athleticism,” Quinn said, via The Athletic. “That’s just one by itself. You can’t really coach that. So to be able to have that as an ability as a young rookie, it only can go up from here. Take his coaching points and use his God-gifted talents and somehow mix them together, I think there’s a lot of upside to that.”

Jones has faced Quinn often during training camp. While Quinn tends to get the best of Jones at times, Jones has actually held his own against Chicago’s top edge rusher. That was especially true during Wednesday’s practice, whether it was one-on-one or team drills.

“It’s been a little battle, dealing with a young player,” said Quinn, who is in his 12th season. “Of course, I’m always trying to work my craft, and hopefully, it’s helped him become better as a player, too.”

While we’re just two weeks into training camp, Quinn is already seeing the payoff in Jones, who at this point appears to be the favorite to start at left tackle.

“From what I see, you can see the confidence in himself,” Quinn said. “I guess that’s the best way to put it.”

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbve7kb6he6scwe player_id=none image=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

10 takeaways from 12th practice at Bears training camp

The Bears held their 12th practice of training camp on Wednesday. Here’s what we learned from Day 12:

After spending some time at Soldier Field for Family Fest, the Chicago Bears returned to Halas Hall for their 12th training camp practice on Wednesday.

There were plenty of updates from the media and fans in attendance. While quarterback Justin Fields remains without his top wide receivers, he strung together an impressive day with a couple of standouts lower down on the receiver depth chart. The offensive line appears to have also taken shape, contrary to what the Bears insist.

There was plenty to digest from practice and press conferences with special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, safety Jaquan Brisker and kicker Cairo Santos.

Following Wednesday’s practice, here’s a look at what we learned from the 12th day of Bears training camp:

Live updates from the 12th practice of Bears training camp

Here are some live updates from those in attendance at the Bears’ 11th practice of training camp.

Following Family Fest at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears are returning to Halas Hall on Wednesday for another open training camp practice.

With media and fans in attendance, there’s plenty to keep an eye on during Wednesday’s practice. The offense remains a work in progress, which is to be expected at this point of the summer. Especially considering Chicago has dealt with a number of injuries at the wide receiver position.

Here are some instant observations from those in attendance at the Bears’ 12th practice of training camp:

Stay tuned for live updates throughout today’s practice, which begins at 10 a.m. CT.

Who’s stock is rising and falling after Week 2 of Bears training camp?

Here are a few players we see rising and falling at this point during Bears training camp. 

Tuesday marked two full weeks of training camp for the Chicago Bears and there’s been no shortage of activity, both on and off the field.

Pads have been on for over a week now and players are jockeying for starting positions or even roster spots as the first preseason game draws closer and closer.

Training camp performances will ebb and flow, with certain players standing out while others may be struggling for one reason or another. Here are a few players we see rising and falling at this point during camp.

9 takeaways from Bears’ first unofficial depth chart

The Bears have released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener vs. the Chiefs, and there was plenty to unpack.

The Chicago Bears released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. When the Bears and Chiefs square off on Saturday at Soldier Field, it’ll feature the return of former head coach Matt Nagy.

When looking at Chicago’s first unofficial depth chart, there are some things that aren’t much of a surprise — Justin Fields listed as the starting quarterback, David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert leading the way at running back and rookies Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker getting immediate starting nods at cornerback and safety. But there are also plenty of surprises.

Here’s what we learned from the Bears’ first unofficial depth chart:

Bears release first unofficial depth chart ahead of preseason opener

The Bears have released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of their preseason opener, which includes some surprises.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for their first preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, which will feature the return of former head coach Matt Nagy to Soldier Field.

The Bears released their first unofficial depth chart ahead of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Chiefs. While it’s far from being finalized, there are plenty of notable surprises at some notable positions, including wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and special teams.

Here’s a look at the Bears’ first unofficial depth chart: