When the Bears activated N’Keal Harry from injured reserve, they cleared the way for the wide receiver to make his season debut Thursday.
Harry suffered a high ankle sprain during a training camp practice in early August and had surgery to hasten his return. When the season began, the Bears put him on IR, which cost him the first four games of the season. Harry returned to practice last week but did not get activated for Sunday’s 29-22 loss to the Vikings.
The Bears’ wide receiver room is one of the least potent in the NFL, and it’s unlikely that Harry’s return changes that. But the former first-round pick — for whom the Bears sent a 2023 seventh-round pick to the Patriots in July — is a big-bodied pass catcher that could help them in the red zone, where the Bears have struggled.
“Big time,” receiver Darnell Mooney said last week. “I’ll give it 100 out of 100 every time you throw a ball to N’Keal in the red zone.”
Short schedule
With a game Thursday, the Bears held a walk-through Monday and will do the same Tuesday. Coach Matt Eberflus will hold a practice Wednesday with helmets and red-zone work, something recent Bears coaches have not done before Thursday games. Typically, NFL teams have a walk-through the day before games.
The Bears will have meetings and walk-throughs on Thursday morning, too.
“It’s a lot of walk-throughs, mental work,” Eberflus said. “It’s a lot of film study with the players and coaches. Players on their own. So you gotta be prepared mentally. Because you’re already almost in the 48-hour preparation.”
Commanders down
Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz would have been limited with an injury to his throwing shoulder had the team practiced. Jahan Dotson (hamstring) would not have practiced, while fellow receiver Dyami Brown (groin) , who caught two touchdowns Sunday, would have been limited. Tight end Logan Thomas (calf) would have been limited, too.
