The Chicago Bears had big plans for receiver Kevin White, but a report came out on Thursday indicating the talented rookie may miss the entire season on the PUP list after suffering a shin injury this spring.
Around the League reported this, via Ian Rapoport, who said, “He hasn’t done any running on hard ground. He may not be back anytime soon. Real chance stays on PUP for season.”
. @RapSheet on Kevin White: He hasn’t done any running on hard ground. He may not be back anytime soon. Real chance stays on PUP for season
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 6, 2015
Rapoport elaborated on this, noting the Bears want White to be completely ready when he does return:
“The key for the Bears is when he is ready to play he’s the full force that they wanted him to be when they drafted him in the top 10,” Rapoport said, via NFL.com. “They want to make sure he’s absolutely ready, so they will be cautious with him.”
Whoa.
It was only two days ago that Ed Werder of ESPN reported White as “pushing to get on [the] field.”
Source: #Bears WR Kevin White pushing to get on field, but team being cautious. No timeframe for return, his running to increase
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) August 4, 2015
The Bears drafted White No. 7 overall this spring in the 2015 NFL Draft. He was one of the most highly touted playmakers of the draft class, with many experts saying he has the highest ceiling of any of the receivers, including Amari Cooper of the Oakland Raiders.
Now, with Brandon Marshall playing in New York and White potentially missing the entire season, the Bears are suddenly paper thin at the receiver position. Alshon Jeffery is the only receiver left on the roster that most people will recognize by name. Quarterback Jay Cutler surely has his work cut out for him this season.
This is potentially grave news for Chicago, and we’ll be tracking this story as it develops in the coming weeks.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports