Bears eye Kyle Fuller on IR, while Kevin White unlikely to return

The Bears will “evaluate” Kyle Fuller on Wednesday, coach John Fox said, opening up the possibility the cornerback could return to the team eight weeks after being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

“He’s a guy we will look at on Wednesday when we come back to practice and we will evaluate that going forward,” Fox said Monday at Halas Hall. “He’s eligible to practice. He’s been doing rehab and exercises and whatnot. And we’ll evaluate that Wednesday.”

Activating Fuller — who would be eligible to play Sunday against the Titans.— would preclude the Bears from bringing back another former first-round pick, receiver Kevin White. NFL rules limit each team to one player coming off IR each year.

White isn’t close to returning and isn’t expected to play again this season.

He had surgery to repair a spiral fracture in his fibula six weeks ago. He caught 19 balls for 187 yards before suffering the injury Week 4 against the Lions.

At the time, the Bears were hopeful he’d have a chance to return this season and build upon his strong start. But that enthusiasm waned.

Fuller had arthroscopic right knee surgery in mid-August but didn’t wasn’t placed on IR until Sept. 27, when the team determined his soreness wasn’t going away enough for him to contribute.

He’s since had good and bad days in his recovery. Fuller could have begun practicing two weeks ago, but did not.

The Bears must decide this offseason to decide whether to exercise the fifth-year option on Fuller’s rookie contract, which currently expires after next year.