Bears clear Miller, Royal for contact play
The Bears still have some huge injury concerns with less than two weeks until the regular-season opener, but there were some encouraging signs Monday at practice.
For the first time since they suffered concussions early in training camp, tight end Zach Miller and wide receiver Eddie Royal practiced without the red jerseys that had exempted them from contact.
Miller and Royal have not played in the preseason. Chances are they won't participate in the final tuneup Thursday night in Cleveland against the Browns when nether team is expected to play starters. The important things is, they could play.
"I've had a lot guys that are vets, not too many rookies, that maybe did not play (in the preseason)," Bears coach John Fox said. "We'll monitor that. That's still always open. The fact that they're cleared now, that makes them legit to be active, and we'll make those decisions as we get closer to the Cleveland game."
In Royal's absence, some of the Bears' younger wide receivers have taken advantage of increased opportunities. Josh Bellamy leads the team with 10 receptions and 94 yards, and Cam Meredith caught 4 balls for 64 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown, in Saturday's third preseason game.
In the jockeying for playing time behind Miller, veterans Tony Moeaki and Rob Housler have stepped up. Moeaki has 5 catches for 34 yards, while Housler has 2 grabs for 69 yards. No other tight end has a reception.
Before they were fully cleared, Miller and Royal had been practicing for several days, albeit clad in the red jerseys. So they should be able to make the transition to regular-season game speed without the benefit of any practice games.
"We've had them out practicing, we just had them out of contact," Fox said. "So I think their conditioning level is pretty good. We've got some timing and stuff in the passing game that needs to be worked on. But (they've) really not been on the shelf so to speak."
The news is not so good for outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, the Bears' most productive pass rusher in the first half of last season. McPhee started camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list following what was reportedly an arthroscopic knee surgery in January. McPhee has yet to practice, although he was working with trainers on an adjacent field next to Monday's practice and has been running without a limp.
"I don't like putting timelines (on injuries), but I think he's closer than he was last week," Fox said. "We're just going to continue to stretch that out on what he can do, some of the change-of-direction things, which are part of football. When he's healthy, we'll have him out there."
Obviously, McPhee will not be 100 percent for Week One, and if his return isn't imminent, he could be transferred from the preseason to the regular-season PUP list, which would keep him out the first six games.
"We've got some avenues that we're going to have to decide here as we cut down to the 53 (by Sept. 3)," Fox said. "But I don't like making those decisions now. There are options. We'll do what's best for us and him."
It's not just McPhee's production that the Bears have missed but the attitude he brings to the defense.
"(It's) just the physical mentality he brings to the game," said outside linebacker Willie Young. "It's been a grind (for him) since his first day out, busting his tail. It's a challenge."
Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long (shoulder) remains out of practice but is working with trainers on the side, and the hope is that he'll be back in the starting lineup in Week One.
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