As always, Bears coach John Fox wasn’t going to discuss his team’s injury situation in detail. But he was impressed by receiver Alshon Jeffery’s ability to play through one on Sunday against the Rams.
“It was a gutsy performance,” Fox said Monday at Halas Hall.
Jeffery suffered a “tweaked” groin, as Fox put it, in practice last week. He missed Thursday’s session and was limited on Friday.
It was Jeffery’s third lower-body injury since training camp, but he was able to play against the Rams. Jeffery’s play time was strictly monitored. He was on for only 35 of the Bears’ 65 offensive plays.
“[Receivers coach] Mike Groh, the rest of our staff did a good job of managing him during the game — in and out, kind of resting that, trying to create some two-over-one situations to help our offensive football team,” Fox said. “Considering the circumstances, I thought [Jeffery] did outstanding.”
Jeffery had his least productive game of the season in St. Louis, making only three catches for 23 yards. But he remained a formidable distraction for the Rams’ defense and also was a willing blocker. He walled off cornerback Janoris Jenkins on tight end Zach Miller’s 87-yard touchdown.
“I felt all right,” Jeffery repeatedly said afterward.
White update
The Bears are facing a deadline with rookie receiver Kevin White, who remains on the physically-unable-to-perform list after surgery for a stress fracture in his shin.
According to NFL rules, the Bears only have this week remaining to start White’s 21-day practice period, which could lead to a possible return this season.
“I’m not in position to comment on it yet,” Fox said. “As I said before, on any injury updates or PUP list updates, we’ll let you know Wednesday.”
