Tag: Ted Ginn Jr.

Bears injury report: Sherrick McManis, Brent Urban limited, Deon Bush DNP on Wednesday

The Bears released their first injury report ahead of Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers, and not much has changed except one limited addition.

The Chicago Bears released their first injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, and nothing much has changed except one limited addition.

Defensive end Brent Urban was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday with a knee injury. There was some encouraging news with defensive back and special teams ace Sherrick McManis was limited in practice as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Safety Deon Bush did not practice Wednesday as he deals with a hamstring injury of his own.

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, linebacker Danny Trevathan, tight end Jimmy Graham and receiver Ted Ginn Jr. also did not practice Wednesday on a resting veteran day.

 

Ted Ginn Jr. expected to return punts for Bears

All week, there’s been speculation about who will fill Tarik Cohen’s shoes on special teams, and it sounds like Ted Ginn Jr. gets the nod.

When the Chicago Bears lost running back Tarik Cohen to a torn AACL for the season, they lost a valuable weapon not only on offense but special teams.

With Cohen done for the year — an injury suffered returning a punt in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons — the Bears found themselves without a punt returner.

All week, there’s been speculation about who will fill Cohen’s shoes on special teams — Anthony Miller, Darnell Mooney and Ted Ginn Jr. were all names tossed around.

It seems as if we have our answer as to who will be returning punts for the Bears, as 670 the Score’s Mark Grote has reported that Ginn is expected to be the team’s punt returner against the Indianapolis Colts.

With Mooney’s increased role on offense — he has the second-most snaps for a receiver behind just Allen Robinson — it makes sense to utilize Ginn more on special teams.

Who will return punts for Bears with Tarik Cohen done for the season?

With Tarik Cohen out, the Bears have options for who could return punts, including WRs Anthony Miller, Darnell Mooney and Ted Ginn Jr.

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The loss of Bears running back Tarik Cohen, who tore his ACL last Sunday against the Falcons, will be felt throughout the team. Not only on offense, but on special teams, where the Bears will need to find a punter to replace the speedy Cohen.

The Bears certainly have options for who could return punts, including receivers Anthony Miller, Darnell Mooney and Ted Ginn Jr. But one person that won’t be returning punts? Cordarrelle Patterson.

“I don’t return punts, man,” he told reporters Thursday. “That’s not what I’ve been doing.”

From the sound of things, special teams coordinator Chris Tabor seemed to indicate that Miller could get the nod at lead punt returner with Cohen done for the year.

But the Bears need to decide if that’s a good idea. Especially given Miller suffered a second straight shoulder injury last season, the most recent one coming on a kick return in the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

Ginn is also another option, as he has experience returning punts. Which would make sense given his involvement with the offense has decreased since the emergence of Mooney, who seems to be gaining more favor with the coaching staff with each passing week.

The Bears believe safety Eddie Jackson could be a star punt returner, but they’re not going to risk injuring an integral part to their defense, according to Patrick Finley.

But according to the Bears’ unofficial depth chart, Mooney is currently listed as the team’s punt returner with Miller as the next option. Ginn is not listed as a kick or punt returner.

Bears Week 2 Inactives: Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn IN vs. Giants

The Bears have released their list of inactives ahead of today’s home opener against the Giants, and Robert Quinn will make his debut.

The Chicago Bears have released their list of inactives ahead of today’s home opener against the New York Giants.

As expected, the Bears pass rush will have its full complement of players with Khalil Mack (knee) and Robert Quinn (ankle) both active against the Giants. Following a so-so performance by the Bears pass rush in Week 1, we’ll see how the tandem of Mack and Quinn will get after Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.

Among the players inactive is receiver Ted Ginn Jr., which comes as a surprise as he’s a healthy scratch. That means you should expect an expanded role from rookie receiver Darnell Mooney, who impressed in his debut game last Sunday.

Also inactive are cornerback Duke Shelley, offensive lineman Arlington Hambright, receiver Riley Ridley, outside linebacker Trevis Gipson and inside linebacker Josh Woods, who was previously ruled out for a personal reason.

Bears injury report: Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn remain limited in Thursday’s practice

The Bears released their Thursday injury report, and it was more of the same regarding Chicago’s top pass rushers.

The Chicago Bears released their Thursday injury report, and it was more of the same regarding Chicago’s top pass rushers. Although with a new addition.

Outside linebackers Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn were limited for the second straight practice. Mack continues to nurse a knee injury, one that kept him limited throughout last week but he still managed to play Sunday.

Quinn, however, is dealing with an ankle injury that held him out of practice last week and caused him to miss last Sunday’s season opener against the Detroit Lions. The fact that Quinn is limited is certainly an encouraging sign that perhaps he’ll be good to go for Week 2. Although Bears head coach Matt Nagy has been known for playing it safe with injuries.

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, another important part of Chicago’s pass rush, did not practice Thursday with an undisclosed illness. If it’s nothing serious, Hicks should be good to go against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Bears tight end Jimmy Graham and wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. were full participants in Thursday’s practice following a veteran rest day on Wednesday.

On the Giants’ side of things, receiver Golden Tate remained limited with a hamstring injury, which caused him to miss last week’s opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also limited for the Giants on Thursday was linebacker Carter Coughlin (hamstring) and defensive back Adrian Colbert (quad).

Bears injury report: Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn limited on Wednesday

The Bears got some encouraging news out of Wednesday’s practice where Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn were limited ahead of Week 2.

The Chicago Bears released their first injury report of the season ahead of their Week 2 match-up against the New York Giants, and there’s some encouraging news.

New outside linebacker Robert Quinn, who missed the Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions with an ankle injury, was limited in practice on Wednesday. Quinn did not practice at all last week, so while this isn’t ideal, it’s certainly promising that he could be available for Sunday’s game against the Giants.

Considering the Bears struggled to get after the quarterback against the Lions, Quinn’s presence would surely do wonders for a pass rush that needs to be better moving forward.

After all, that’s the reason why the Bears signed Quinn to a five-year, $70 million deal this offseason. They need an impact player opposite Khalil Mack, especially one that could have his way with a porous Giants offensive line.

Speaking of Mack, he was also limited in Wednesday’s practice with a knee injury. It was the same knee injury that kept him a limited participant throughout last week’s practices and left him with a questionable status.

Assuming both Mack and Quinn are able to go Sunday, that could be disastrous for a Giants offensive line that struggled to stop much last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Elsewhere on the injury report, tight end Jimmy Graham and receiver Ted Ginn Jr. had a veteran rest day on Wednesday.

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See veterans Robert Quinn, Ted Ginn Jr. in their Bears uniforms

The Bears released a first look at new veterans Robert Quinn, Ted Ginn Jr. and Jimmy Graham in their new navy and blue threads.

While there’s still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the 2020 season, it’s starting to feel more real with the start of training camp. It also helps to finally get a look at some new Chicago Bears players sporting their new gear.

The Bears released a look at Chicago’s new veterans donning their new navy and blue threads, including outside linebacker Robert Quinn, receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and tight end Jimmy Graham. Graham previously released a first look at himself in his new uniform.

The Bears added three key veterans this offseason, including the former All-Pro Quinn. Quinn will be paired with stud Khalil Mack to make up one of the NFL’s most feared edge rusher duos.

Over on the offensive side of the ball, Chicago brought in Graham to lead the overhaul of their tight ends room. Graham will be the starting “U” tight end, and general manager Ryan Pace believes Graham can add an element to Chicago’s passing game. Speaking of the passing game, the Bears added speed to their receivers room with the addition of Ginn Jr., something they missed last season.

While these new veterans look great in their new uniforms, it’ll be nice to see them donning them in regular-season games in 2020.

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Chicago Bears 2020 Fantasy Football Preview

Heading into 2020, the Bears return one of the NFL’s best defenses but face the same questions on offense from a season ago.

There’s not a lot of confidence surrounding the Chicago Bears heading into this season, which has a lot to do with the struggles of the offense last season. And heading into 2020, there’s still a lot of uncertainty of the offensive side of the ball at quarterback, offensive line and the question of the run game.

But there’s reason to be confident given Chicago’s dominant defense, which returns in full health and with a couple new playmakers to add to the mix. If the Bears could get adequate play on offense, they might be able to contend for a postseason berth in 2020.

This content appears in print in USA Today’s Sports Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Preview.

What’s new

The Bears traded for QB Nick Foles, who will battle Mitchell Trubisky for the starting job. They overhauled their tight ends room with the additions of Jimmy Graham and rookie Cole Kmet while also adding some speed to the receiving corps with the additions of Ted Ginn Jr. and fifth-round rookie Darnell Mooney. The Bears also brought in four-year starter Germain Ifedi, who figures to occupy the right guard spot vacated by Kyle Long. Chicago improved its defense with the addition of EDGE Robert Quinn, rookie CB Jaylon Johnson and SS Tashaun Gipson. Two-time Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson is moving back to free safety, where he was a ballhawk in his first two seasons.

Camp battles

For the first time since 2008, the Bears will have a quarterback competition. Given the shortened offseason, Trubisky figures to have an advantage. There will also be competition for the third running back spot as David Montgomery’s backup. Starting jobs are also up for grabs at cornerback and safety, where Johnson and Gipson appear to be the favorites to land those jobs. The Bears will once again have competition at kicker, where Eddy Pineiro will look to hold off Ramiz Ahmed.

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ESPN ranks Bears offensive weapons among worst in the NFL

Bill Barnwell examined every NFL team’s collective group of offensive weapons, and he ranked the Bears at No. 28 in the league.

There’s not a lot of confidence in the Chicago Bears’ offense, and rightfully so. They’re coming off an abysmal 2019 season where they were one of the worst units in the NFL, for several reasons.

One of the biggest concerns was quarterback, and incumbent starter Mitchell Trubisky will find himself battling Nick Foles for the starting job come training camp.

But a quarterback is nothing without his skill position players. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell examined every NFL team’s collective group of offensive weapons, and he ranked Chicago among the worst at No. 28 in the league.

While Barnwell is quick to praise receiver Allen Robinson for what he’s accomplished, as well as give some credit to third-year wideout Anthony Miller, who’s poised for a breakout year in 2020. But it’s the remainder of Chicago’s skill position players that have Barnwell concerned.

The other weapons on this roster all failed to live up to expectations, although much of that was due to injuries. (Tarik Cohen’s seven drops on 103 targets are the exception.) Players like Cohen, Ted Ginn Jr. and Cordarrelle Patterson could be intriguing supplemental pieces in the right scheme, but it’s difficult to count on coach Matt Nagy making the most of their ability.

Free-agent signee Jimmy Graham’s contract was universally panned, but even leaving the money aside, he was anonymous last season in a Packers offense desperate for a second receiving option and turns 34 in November. David Montgomery is the big hope for the Bears to climb up these rankings, but as a rookie, he was below-average by every running measure I could find.

As far as receivers go, Robinson remains far and away Chicago’s best offensive weapon. Third-year receiver Anthony Miller flashed his potential last season, and he’s expected to be a big part of this offense following the departure of Taylor Gabriel. But there’s a lot of unproven talent at receiver with Riley Ridley and Javon Wims. Although Chicago added some much-needed speed to their receivers room with the addition of Ted Ginn Jr. and rookie Darnell Mooney.

The Bears had an ineffective run game last season, but the blame doesn’t fall solely on David Montgomery. He wasn’t done any favors by a struggling offensive line or an offensive playcaller that doesn’t like to run the football. Then there’s Tarik Cohen, who had a disappointing season, and it seemed like Matt Nagy didn’t know how to utilize him in this offense last season.

It’s no secret that the Bears had arguably the worst tight end performance last season, where they combined for 36 receptions, 416 receiving yards and just two touchdowns. General manager Ryan Pace overhauled the tight ends room with the acquisitions of rookie Cole Kmet and veterans Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris, while parting ways with Trey Burton. So there’s nowhere to go but up for this group in 2020.

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Bears’ WR corps lands at No. 20 in Pro Football Focus rankings

Chicago isn’t where receivers go to die anymore. PFF believes they’re very much alive, even if they’re only average.

Former Chicago Bears receiver Muhsin Muhammad famously once said “Chicago is where wide receivers go to die.” Well, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), they’re very much alive, but may only be average.

The analytics site ranked all 32 NFL teams and their wide receiver position groups heading into the 2020 season.  The rankings not only looked at star receivers but depth and how their top three or four options can attack opposing defenses. When it came to the Bears, PFF’s Steve Palazzolo slotted them in at No. 20, citing a number of unknowns outside of Pro-Bowl caliber receiver Allen Robinson. Below is his summary of the Bears’ pass catchers and why they’re ranked in the twenties.

The receiving corps was one-dimensional last season, as Allen Robinson posted the 12th-best receiving grade in the league at 81.1, but no other receiver graded higher than 67.9.

Robinson finished with 393 yards on deep (20-plus yard) passes, and his drop rate of 3.0% was 11th-best out of 101 qualifiers. At his best, Robinson is a complete receiver who can win at all levels of the field and at the catch point. Anthony Miller had the second-highest receiving grade on the team at 67.9, and he may be ready to take the next step to be a true No. 2 option behind Robinson.

The No. 3 role is wide open after Taylor Gabriel was released this offseason after a disappointing 62.0 overall grade last season. Riley Ridley  a 2019 fourth-rounder, is a smooth route-runner who could fit as more of a possession receiver after catching six passes in his debut last season. He’ll compete with Javon Wims, a big-bodied target who ranked fifth on the team with 186 yards a year ago. Cordarrelle Patterson is more of a gimmick player at this point, and his 6.4 yards after the catch have a place as long as he’s not relied upon too much on the outside.

The Bears also added speed this offseason with Ted Ginn Jr. and fifth-rounder Darnell Mooney out of Tulane, so the goal is to have at least one of them to emerge as a much-needed deep option to complement the other pieces in place. There are plenty of question marks beyond Robinson, and the fate of this receiving corps depends on Miller’s development and the emergence of a downfield threat.

PFF sometimes has a reputation for disrespecting the Bears in their rankings or analysis, but this ranking appears to be spot on. Robinson is truly a stud for this team and was the only consistent player for the Bears offense in 2019. He finished with 98 catches for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns. His 1,147 yards accounted for nearly a third of the entire team’s passing yards.

Miller is the key to this unit succeeding or becoming too reliant on Robinson. A popular breakout candidate in 2020, Miller has had some injury concerns and inconsistencies on the field. He was largely invisible during the first half of the 2019 season, but he came alive to finish strong and give the Bears that 1-2 punch they envisioned back in August. Still, he’s spending his second consecutive offseason rehabbing from shoulder surgery and may not get the necessary practice reps in due to the COVID-19 pandemic shortening the preseason.

Palazzalo’s concerns at the WR3 spot are also valid, considering neither former Georgia Bulldogs Riley Ridley nor Javon Wims did enough to instill confidence they can be a legitimate weapon last season. But things could open up if newcomers Ted Ginn Jr. or Darnell Mooney end up becoming the sorely missed deep threat for the Bears.

The Bears receivers ranking isn’t anything to write home about. But the good news? They’re still the second-best in the division, behind Detroit (No. 7) and ahead of Minnesota (No. 21) and Green Bay (No. 24).

How do you feel about PFF’s ranking of the Bears wide receivers?

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