LeGere: Bears to be extremely thin at receiver vs. Bengals
Most Chicago Bears starters are expected to play into the third quarter in Saturday's third preseason game against the Bengals at Cincinnati.
“It's the most extended amount of time our starters will get,” coach John Fox said. “So they'll get used to the halftime adjustments and then coming out in the third quarter. How far they go will be kind of game related.”
The Bears are likely to be extremely short-handed at wide receiver.
Pro Bowler Alshon Jeffery (calf) and No. 3 wideout Marquess Wilson (hamstring) are not expected to play.
That would leave veteran Eddie Royal along with undrafted first-year players Josh Bellamy and Rashad Lawrence as the starters in a three-wide receiver alignment.
Through two games, Lawrence, the 6-foot-1, 197-pound Northwestern product, is the Bears' leading receiver with 6 catches.
His 50 receiving yards are 10 fewer than Cameron Meredith, an undrafted former quarterback from Illinois State, who has 5 receptions.
Taking note:
Coach John Fox isn't known for tossing around superlatives, but he was impressed by rookie running back Jeremy Langford's performance against the Indianapolis Colts. The fourth-round pick had a 46-yard run and reversed his route across the field on a 1-yard TD.
“Outstanding,” Fox said. “We saw early in camp that (the game) wasn't too fast for him. He's a very humble, sharp guy, willing to learn, and he has talent.”
Langford finished with a game-high 80 yards on 9 carries, an 8.9-yard average.
Road to recovery:
Willie Young saw his first preseason game action Saturday against the Colts, continuing a quick recovery from December's torn Achilles tendon.
“I think it's fair to say he'll be ready (at the start of the season),” John Fox said. “He'll get a little bit more playing time (this week), but I think, without a doubt, if he continues healthy he'll be ready for the start of the season.”
Left unsaid was whether Young will be close to 100 percent, which could leave him on the bubble when final cuts are due Sept. 5. Young led the Bears with 10 sacks last season.
Injuries adding up:
Two of the Bears' most important players were added to the injury list Tuesday.
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (chest) and left tackle Jermon Bushrod (back) did not practice, along with several players who remained out. Those included wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (calf) and Marquess Wilson (hamstring). Safety Ryan Mundy (hip) and tight end Chris Pantale (ill).
Charles Leno, promoted last week to starting right tackle over Jordan Mills, took some snaps in Bushrod's absence at left tackle, with Mills moving back in with the ones at right tackle.