John Fox says injured Bears WRs have ‘a shot’ to play vs. Packers

SHARE John Fox says injured Bears WRs have ‘a shot’ to play vs. Packers
alshonjeffery3_999x665.jpg

Bears WR Alshon Jeffery. (AP)

Coach John Fox didn’t say much about his injured receivers, namely Alshon Jeffery, after practice Monday, but he expressed some optimism in front of fans later on.

“It is a healing process,” Fox said during the “Bears Coaches Show” on WBBM-AM 780, which was live at Halas Hall with season ticket holders.

“Everybody is different. People handle pain differently. People heal faster than others. But we’ve got a shot with all of them [to play], and that’s biggest thing that I look at.”

Fox said treatment will continue for Jeffery (calf), Eddie Royal (hip) and Marquess Wilson (hamstring) at 9 a.m. on Tuesday before they’re reevaluated before practice on Wednesday.

“We have all the way to Sunday at noon, I think,” Fox joked.

Jeffery didn’t participate in the brief portion of practice that media members were allowed to watch on Monday, but he was seen during the open locker-room period. A team spokesman said Jeffery was unavailable for comment.

Wilson and Royal did talk after participating in practice. Both players seemed optimistic about playing Sunday against the Packers at Soldier Field.

“I feel like I haven’t missed much going on with the playbook and just keeping my head in the game,” Wilson said. “I’m just looking to get back out there.”

Wilson injured his hamstring while racing for a long, high pass in the second preseason game against the Colts. But details were missing about Royal’s hip ailment.

“I don’t know,” Royal said. “It’s just something that I started feeling. We talked to the trainers and coaches about it. They decided to sit me down for a little bit and now we’re right where we are. I’m excited about today. It was a good start. I’m excited about Sunday and hopefully being out there.”

More injury news

Left tackle Jermon Bushrod didn’t practice as he continues to deal with a nagging back issue. His situation is one the Bears will be very careful with.

“[It’s] coming along pretty good, sticking to (my system) and getting ready for the long haul,” Bushrod said. “We have a set schedule, so I’ll be able to do the things on and off the field that I have to do.”

Rookie defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who are dealing with concussions, did take part in the portion of practice open to the media.

The Latest
Only two days after an embarrassing loss to lowly Washington, the Bulls put on a defensive clinic against Indiana.
One woman suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. In each incident, the four to five men armed with rifles, handguns and knives, approached victims on the street in Logan Square, Portage Park, Avondale, Hermosa threatened or struck them before taking their belongings, police said.
For as big of a tournament moment as Terrence Shannon Jr. is having, it hasn’t been deemed “madness” because, under the brightest lights, he has been silent.
This year, to continue making history, the Illini will have to get past No. 2-seeded Iowa State.