Barring any setbacks, receivers Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson are set to return from injuries.
Officially, all three receivers are listed as questionable. But Jeffery (calf) has practiced some in the last three days and Royal (hip) and Wilson (hamstring) also participated in Monday’s session.
At this point, it would be a surprise if they weren’t active Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
“I’m staying optimistic about the availability of all our guys,” Fox said Friday after practice.
Fox said that Jeffery, who was injured Aug. 12, has been running well, even on the rain-drenched fields at Halas Hall.
“He looked pretty good at what he did,” Fox said. “We’ll see what that brings [at Saturday’s practice,] and then we have a training room set up in our team hotel that night. Really, I don’t totally solidify on the inactives until we get to Sunday morning.”
Jeffery’s teammates are eager for his return.
“It helps us a lot,” running back Matt Forte said. “He’s a dynamic player on the outside and does many things. … It’s no secret what Alshon can do. So it really helps us out when he’s out on the field.”
In sickbay
Outside linebacker Sam Acho was at Halas Hall, but he remains out with an illness. Acho declined to talk about his ailment, which he’s been dealing with for weeks.
“There’s always concern about every player as it relates to any kind of injury or sickness,” Fox said. “We’re just trying to get him well. When he’s well, he’ll be out there.”
Fox said Acho, who played well in the preseason, is not contagious.
“He was away for a minute just to get a little bit well — well enough to leave your house,” Fox said. “It’s like when you have the flu. But he’s getting better every day.”
More injury news
There will be shuffling on the offensive line with Kyle Long expected to start at right tackle, but the left side is set with tackle Jermon Bushrod (back) listed as probable for Sunday.
“Anytime you have a veteran player, getting them to Sundays is the key thing,” Fox said. “My experience has been whatever that takes. So we’ll monitor that [Bushrod’s back injury].
“I’m sure it’s not going to go away next week or in three weeks. But that’s just kind of our duties both inside the training room, medical people and the coaching staff, to get guys ready for Sunday.”
Cornerback Tracy Porter, who is dealing with a recurring hamstring injury, was officially ruled out. Linebacker Jon Bostic (ankle) is questionable.
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Email: ajahns@suntimes.com
