Bears' first-round pick Kevin White won't play this season

As expected, the Bears did not activate rookie wide receiver Kevin White from the physically-unable-to-perform list at the 3 p.m. deadline Tuesday, so he will remain on it and his window to practice with the team has closed.

White, the Bears' first-round draft pick (seventh overall) from West Virginia, had surgery in August to stabilize stress fractures in his left shin that have kept him from the practice field, with the exception of the last three weeks, when he was limited to individual drills. White was originally shut down during spring sessions when the condition flared up.

Despite months of rest, White's condition did not improve over the summer. As a result, steel rods were inserted into his tibia for stability and to expedite healing. Although the Bears have been cautious with White, they consider him an important part of their future.

“We did a lot of evaluation before he got here,” coach John Fox said. “Being in the building with him for some time now, watching him go about his business, even though it's not actually on the football field the whole time, we've been very impressed with him, the kind of guy he is. He's the kind of guy we want in our organization.”

A week ago Fox provided some optimism for White.

“I think his leg is healed,” the Bears' coach said. “Now it's a matter of getting into football shape where he's kind of been sidelined for some time. We'll evaluate that deal. We have medical people that deal with him every day. And we'll continue to bring the football play element back into it. If he's cleared to play football, he'll be out there. If not, he won't.”

Also on Tuesday, linebacker John Timu, an undrafted rookie from Washington, was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster. Defensive lineman Ziggy Hood was waived after seeing limited action in Weeks 12 and 13 after he was signed Oct. 12.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.