Bears WR Allen Robinson on sidelines, but “ahead of the game” in return for 2018

SHARE Bears WR Allen Robinson on sidelines, but “ahead of the game” in return for 2018
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Allen Robinson speaks with the media in March. Tim Boyle/For the Sun-Times

Wide receiver Allen Robinson was on the field but did not participate in the Bears’ organized-team-activity practice Wednesday at Halas Hall. But coach Matt Nagy was upbeat about the team’s prime free-agent acquisition being ready when it counts.

“He’s ahead of the game. He’s looking good,” Nagy said. “We’re feeling really good about his prognosis as far as getting started. There’s no need to rush it. He’s been doing great in meetings. He’s answering every question in meetings. He’s out here, focused, doing everything we want him to do.”

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Nagy acknowledged to reporters that guard Kyle Long is making progress in his rehab from offseason surgeries on his neck, shoulder and elbow. Long participated in individual drills and the walkthrough portion of practice. Team drills are the next step.

“Yeah, at some point we’ll get him out there,” Nagy said. “For him, he’s doing really well. He’s been just homing in on the details of their job on the offensive line, and as soon as we all agree that he’s ready to go, he’ll be up and going.”

‘Giddy’ about Tarik

As expected, running back Tarik Cohen looks like the toy that Nagy will play with the most.

“He’s actually the one kid on this team that I knew had a lot of talent,” Nagy said, “but he comes out here and runs every route the right way, catches most balls, and he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes.

“You see how he is in the meeting rooms — he listens to the play, and when he comes out here how serious he is, and he knows how to have fun. He’s a player that for me, you get giddy about.”

Lynch a ‘beast’

The Bears didn’t address their pass-rush need as much as they could have in the offseason, but outside linebacker Sam Acho believes former 49er Aaron Lynch can fill the void. Lynch had six sacks as a rookie in 2014 and 6½ in 2015 but just 2½ the last two seasons because of injuries and other issues.

“I think Aaron Lynch is a pretty awesome pass-rush specialist,” Acho said. “I remember watching him when I was in Arizona, [and] I was like, ‘This dude’s a beast.’ He reminded me of Aldon Smith, just the raw athleticism. I’m happy they brought him in.”

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