Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller can’t compete for a starting job if he can’t play. And for the second consecutive week, Fuller remained on the sideline.
As expected, Fuller was inactive Monday night against the Eagles. He underwent surgery during the second week of the preseason.
It’s been a gradual recovery process for Fuller, who had been bothered by his knee since the offseason program. He was the only player limited in practice last week.
Coach John Fox said last week that Fuller was “working through” becoming healthy. Fuller did some brief pregame work on Monday night, which included catching passes from assistant secondary coach Sam Garnes.
“It’s a process — one that he’s doing well with,” Fox said. “[His knee is] just not maybe totally there yet.”
Fuller, the No. 14 overall pick in the 2014 draft, remains listed on the Bears’ depth chart as the starter. But it was a starting spot up for grabs before Fuller underwent his surgery. Bears coaches considered Fuller’s play inconsistent.
Second-year cornerback Jacoby Glenn made his second start opposite veteran Tracy Porter. Fourth-round pick Deiondre’ Hall also is in the mix.
“The first order of business is to get Kyle healthy,” Fox said last week. “Until he gets healthy, I don’t know if he can compete for somewhere on the depth chart. One’s got to happen before the other happens.”
Nick still sits
Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski was inactive for the second straight week, but he’s healthy.
Kwiatkoski, the first of the Bears’ three fourth-round picks, said he’s fully recovered from the pulled hamstring that sidelined him for most of training camp and the preseason.
“No problems,” he said.
Kwiatkoski is behind reserve inside linebackers Jonathan Anderson and Christian Jones, who are key contributors on special teams.
“Mentally, I don’t think I was far behind at all,” Kwiatkoski said. “It was just getting back into practicing and just physical stuff, and that was a couple weeks ago in the last week of camp. Now I feel good.”
Bush feels better
Rookie safety Deon Bush also was inactive again, but similar to Kwiatkoski, he’s healthy after injuring his hamstring during the joint practices with the Patriots in the preseason.
Bush, the Bears’ second fourth-round selection, wasn’t limited during practices last week, but he’s still making up for missed time.
“Whenever my opportunity comes, that’s when I get to try to take advantage of it,” Bush said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
In and out
Will Sutton replaced Cornelius Washington in the defensive-line rotation. Washington was on the field for 14 plays last week in Houston.
The Bears’ other inactive players included defensive back Cre’Von LeBlanc, center Eric Kush and receiver Cameron Meredith.
