Bears WR injuries could give Meredith chance to shine

With Kevin White on injured reserve and Eddie Royal (calf) questionable, wide receiver Cam Meredith could get his first NFL start Sunday at Indianapolis.

Signed as an undrafted rookie last year out of Illinois State, the 6-foot-3, 207-pound Meredith had 11 receptions for 120 yards in 2015. He caught 4 balls for 28 yards last week filling in for White. He had 2 catches for 24 yards a week earlier after being inactive the first two weeks.

"You've definitely got to be ready all year long with the position I'm in," Meredith said. "I've been working all season just to make sure I'm on top of my stuff, and I've gotten some playing time, so mentally and physically, I'll be ready."

Meredith was a quarterback at St. Joseph High School in Westchester and for two years at ISU before converting to wide receiver, so he's still very much a work in progress.

Meredith first appeared on the Bears' radar at an area scouting combine early in the 2015 off-season.

"He impressed us," coach John Fox said. "He ran well. He looked pretty athletic, was pretty good in and out of breaks for a tall guy, and he's worked hard. He's continued to improve, and I think you'll see him continue to improve going forward."

Meredith didn't start a game at ISU until his senior season, when he caught 66 passes for 1,061 yards (17.0-yard average) and 9 touchdowns. But he still came to the Bears with a lot to learn.

"Extremely raw, coming from a small program," offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains recalled. "He's worked really hard over the last year and a half to get to the point where he's at to earn an opportunity to be part of the roster.

"He has a lot of room to grow. Sometimes the only way to grow as a young player is to get thrown into the fire and just play through it. When you deal with young guys, there's going to be some bumps in the road. We understand that. We're excited about getting him out there and playing him some."

Uneven progress:

Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd has flashed the talent that made him the ninth overall draft pick this year, but his progress has been impeded by nagging injuries going back to the start of training camp.

"I think that's true with every player," coach John Fox said. "Anytime they're not available, and they're not out there, it's hard to say to you're getting a lot better. But injuries are a part of the game. I look at it more like it tests your coaching. So we'll have to rise to the occasion."

A calf injury limited Floyd to 19 snaps last week in his least productive game, and he's questionable for Sunday after limited practices all week. Because of the injuries, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is hesitant to give Floyd a grade at the quarter mark of the season.

"I would say it's incomplete," Fangio said, "but he's a work in progress."

Floyd split a sack in his debut but has not gotten to the quarterback since. Fangio was asked what it would take for Floyd to become a better pass-rush threat.

"To be healthy," Fangio said.

Injury update:

Quarterback Jay Cutler (right thumb), running back Jeremy Langford (ankle), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle) and cornerback Deiondre' Hall (ankle) did not practice Friday and are doubtful for Sunday.

Hall, who had the first interception of his rookie season last week, was a late addition to the injury report. He turned his ankle near the end of Thursday's practice and experienced significant swelling by Friday morning.

Offensive left tackle Charles Leno (illness) and wide receiver Eddie Royal (calf) did not practice Friday but are questionable for Sunday's game.

Eleven other players are questionable after limited practices Friday: Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (knee), guard Josh Sitton (shoulder), tight end Zach Miller (ribs), linebackers Leonard Floyd (calf), Danny Trevathan (thumb), Willie Young (knee, elbow) and Nick Kwiatkoski (elbow) and cornerbacks Tracy Porter (knee) and Sherrick McManis (hamstring), running back Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) and defensive end Jonathan Bullard (toe).

For the Colts, wide receiver Donte Moncrief (shoulder) is out.

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