Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, still recovering from a sprained right knee that forced him to miss the final six games last season, didn’t participate in the Bears’ three-day minicamp. But coach Matt Nagy said he isn’t concerned about Floyd’s availability.
“I don’t know exactly where he’s at [in his recovery]. That would be something for our training staff,” Nagy said. “But I do feel good about where he’s at. He’s been in here grinding every day, really trying to get better. I feel good about his situation.”
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Floyd, the Bears’ ninth overall pick in 2016, has yet to play a full season in the NFL because of injuries. He had 4½ sacks and nine tackles for loss in 10 games last season. He had seven sacks and three tackles for loss in 12 games as a rookie.
Wide receiver Allen Robinson (knee), guard Kyle Long (shoulder, neck) and linebacker Danny Trevathan (personal) also didn’t participate.
Lynch OK
Nagy had some positive news on outside linebacker Aaron Lynch, who injured his left ankle in practice Wednesday.
“It seems better than we thought,” Nagy said. “There’s things that can happen, and you never know. But right now, where he’s at, we’re going to be good.”
Gen. Whitehair
Cody Whitehair finished last season at left guard and could move back there again after Josh Sitton was released. Whitehair, however, played center all three days of minicamp, with Eric Kush playing left guard and newcomer Earl Watford — who started 20 games for the Cardinals in 2016-17 — playing for Long at right guard.
“He’s a general at that position,” Nagy said. “He’s very comfortable there. He sees the field well. [He’s] a confident kid that is just really hungry to get better. He’s learning that we do put a lot of responsibility on that position. He’s handled it well and he’s learning from one of the best in coach [Harry] Hiestand.”
Whitehair was drafted as a guard and was slated to start at left guard as a rookie in 2016 until center Hroniss Grasu was injured in the preseason. Whitehair is capable of playing both positions, but the Bears hope to have him in one spot.
This and that
After going through a minicamp tryout, the Bears signed former Ravens receiver Marlon Brown. Brown caught 87 passes for 891 yards and seven touchdowns from 2013 to ’15.
The Bears also signed defensive end Nick Williams and waived receiver Mekale McKay.
† The Bears announced they will practice alongside the Broncos in Englewood, Colorado, on
Aug. 15-16 before their preseason game Aug. 18.
Contributing: Patrick Finley
