The Bears’ bye week did them some good.
Five injured starters returned to practice Monday — Pro Bowl guards Kyle Long (triceps) and Josh Sitton (ankle), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle), receiver Eddie Royal (toe) and cornerback Bryce Callahan (hamstring).
“I think it’s a huge boost,” coach John Fox said. “If you look at what’s happened to us in the first half, just at the quarterback position, it’s enough to cripple a lot of teams.
“Obviously getting two Pro Bowl guards back is helpful. I think the receiver position gets a little deeper, as well as the punt returning.”
Wideout Marquess Wilson practiced, too, starting a 21-day clock for the Bears to either activate him from the physically unable to perform list or lose him for the rest of the season. Wilson re-broke his left foot in June and had not practiced since.
“I think he had a good window there and they elected to put him out there today,” Fox said. “And I thought he looked good.”
The Bears don’t have to give a detailed injury report until Wednesday.