No sign of Chicago Bears WR Jeffery, no update from Fox
Alshon Jeffery's "day-to-day" calf injury entered Day 21 Tuesday with the Pro Bowl wide receiver again not on the practice field and nowhere in sight at Halas Hall.
The Chicago Bears' two other injured wide receivers - Marquess Wilson (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (hip) - did individual work on the side.
But no Jeffery, who was injured during a walk-through Aug. 12 before the team broke camp in Bourbonnais.
The subject of Jeffery's health is one that coach John Fox has grown weary of in recent days.
Asked about the delay in Jeffery's return, Fox said: "He's injured."
Pressed as to whether anything had gone wrong in the recuperation of the back-to-back 1,100-plus-yard pass catcher, Fox said: "Not for me. It's on to tomorrow."
It would seem Jeffery's chances of playing in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13 are diminishing.
"As I've mentioned a lot of times, I'd prefer they're out here," Fox said. "But until they're cleared medically, I don't have them. So again, I can't predict what's going to happen going forward other than day-to-day.
"So we'll assess it, and the plan is hopefully we get everybody ready for Green Bay."
After being idle for so long, will conditioning be a problem for Jeffery?
He caught 85 passes for 1,133 yards (13.3-yard average) and 10 touchdowns last year as a follow up to his 2013 Pro Bowl season, when he caught 89 passes for 1,421 yards (16.0-yard average) and 7 touchdowns.
"It's not like he's sitting there eating bonbons," Fox said. "So he's conditioning."
Fighting words:
Several fights broke out during Tuesday's practice in oppressively humid weather under a midday sun that sent temperatures soaring over 90 degrees.
The most noteworthy skirmish involved tight end Martellus Bennett and linebacker David Bass.
It appeared to be over, when Bennett broke free from the restraints of teammates and went after Bass again.
Later, offensive tackle Charles Leno and linebacker Willie Young mixed it up and guard Lucas Nix had spats with defensive linemen Ego Ferguson and David Carter.
"I got about 15 extra seconds of rest time, so from a personal standpoint, it was a nice little break," guard Kyle Long said. "(But) guys are out there competing.
"There are guys out here fighting for their lives, their wives, their children. These peoples' lives are on the line right now, so it happens."
Running back Senorise Perry (foot) was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday to reduce the roster to the required 75.
Twenty-two more cuts must be made by Saturday.
"You've got guys competing to try to get spots," coach John Fox said. "It's coming down to that point where you pick (the final) 53, so it's kind of par for the course."
Injuries piling up:
Running back Matt Forte was given a second straight day of rest (veteran's day off) and offensive left tackle Jermon Bushrod missed another practice with a recurring back injury.
In addition to the team's top three wide receivers, undrafted rookie wideout AJ Cruz left practice with a foot injury.
Six other players remained out: Quarterback Jimmy Clausen (concussion), nose tackles Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle) and Eddie Goldman (concussion), linebackers Sam Acho (knee) and Jon Bostic (ankle) and cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring).
"I think it's a sign we're working hard," coach John Fox said. "We're trying to get ready for that regular season. I'm not overly concerned. I'm concerned about everything.
"I'd rather have guys out there. But the key right now is getting them to the regular season."
Coming and going:
Quarterback Shane Carden and guard Lucas Nix were waived and quarterback Zac Dysert and tight end Gannon Sinclair were claimed off waivers, leaving the roster at 75.