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Cutler getting to know inexperienced Chicago Bears receivers

If Saturday's regular-season tuneup in Cincinnati is anything like Wednesday's practice, quarterback Jay Cutler's top three wide receivers likely will be Josh Bellamy, Rashad Lawrence and Marc Mariani.

That's a combined 5 catches in the NFL regular season for these Bears receivers, all from Mariani in 2011.

Eddie Royal joined the walking-wounded wide receivers Wednesday with a hip injury, which John Fox categorized as day to day. Alshon Jeffery (calf) and Marquess Wilson (hamstring) remained out.

Cutler said he has never been in a situation like this, where his top four wide receivers (including rookie first-round pick Kevin White) are sidelined.

In addition to getting comfortable with offensive coordinator Adam Gase's playbook, Cutler needs to get a rapport with a group of young receivers not usually in the huddle.

“It just makes me have to work a little bit harder,” Cutler said of the extra challenge. “It makes me have to communicate with them and make sure they know exactly what they're supposed to do, so I've got to be on it on my end as well.

“It's a challenge for us. Like I said, it's a really good group of guys, so I enjoy working with them.”

Jeffery has been out two weeks, and White will miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season — likely longer — so it's very possible one of these pass catchers who originally wasn't expected to make the 53-man roster could be both on the team … and on the field.

“It's a great opportunity for these guys, and it's given me an opportunity to work with them and do some hands-on stuff with them,” Cutler said.

“They're excited. I got in the huddle there with these guys and they're all excited to be out there. They want to get the ball (and) they want to do things the right way, so we'll see how it goes.”

Cutler might have lost his top wide receivers for now, having to rely on a no-name group, but he can take solace in what he considers the deepest stable of running backs since he arrived in Chicago.

“Quizz (Jacquizz Rodgers) has had a great preseason. (Jeremy) Langford's had a good preseason. Twenty-five, Ka'Deem's come on; he's run the ball extremely hard,” Cutler said.

“I know (running backs coach) Stan (Drayton) is doing a great job with those guys making sure they're on their stuff. Every time you give a guy the ball, it seems like they're getting some chunks here and there. So I don't know how it's going to shake out.”

He might lean on those backs often against a good Cincinnati defense Saturday night, and even more so when the season begins if injuries to Jeffery, Wilson and Royal aren't as short term as the Bears are hoping.

• For more on the Bears, visit chicagofootball.com.

Eddie Royal joins injured Bears wide receivers

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