All Bears fullback Evan Rodriguez can do is sit and wait.
Rodriguez has been active the last two games after missing time with a sprained MCL, but didn’t play in the Bears’ victories against the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers.
“I’m just waiting for my opportunity,” the rookie said recently. “Basically, I have no control over that. I’m just preparing myself to play.”
The Bears have turned to Kyle Adams at fullback, while also using an ample amount of three tight-end sets. Rodriguez, a fourth-round pick, was drafted as a tight end out of Temple, but is currently listed as the Bears’ only fullback.
“It’s all right,” he said. “I’m just a football player. You put me anywhere on the field, I’m just happy I’m on the field.
“It doesn’t matter because I’m so versatile. You can classify me as whatever you want. I’m still going to be all over the field. It doesn’t matter what you label me as.”
Rodriguez knew his package at fullback was minimized in recent weeks, but said his knee is OK and didn’t play a role in his decreased playing time. Rodriguez started in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts, but was injured two weeks later against the St. Louis Rams.
“You’re just waiting for your number to be called,” he said. “You’re just patiently waiting. That’s all I can do.
“They basically want to see how I react during practice. It’s based on practice decisions. I’m just preparing myself to play the game. If I play, I play. If I don’t, I don’t. But you’re anxious to get back in there.”
Rodriguez does see one benefit of sitting out.
“It’s definitely a good time to heal,” Rodriquez said. “It doesn’t hurt. Does it stink that I didn’t play? Yeah, it does, but at same time, it’s good in way to be rested.”
