The problems aren’t expected to keep him out of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings but wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was limited in practice on Wednesday with a calf injury and out of practice altogether on Thursday with an undisclosed illness.
The offensive linchpin has battled injuries all season, having missed five games with groin and hamstring issues this year, in addition to missing all four preseason contests with a calf injury, and the overall offense has reflected it.
“When Alshon’s out there he does a great job and he makes us a different team," Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase said.
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Nickel cornerback Byrce Callahan (quad) and cornerback Sherrick McManis (concussion) also did not participate in Thursday’s practice. Tight end Zach Miller (rib), linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), defensive tackle Will Sutton (knee) and cornerback Tracy Porter (ankle) were limited in practice.
Wide receiver Eddie Royal continued his return from the knee injury that kept him out of six games and projects to see more than the two passes thrown his way against the Washington Redskins. Royal and Cutler had a clear chemistry working through training camp, and Royal caught 18 passes in the first four games before injuries cut into his production.
Those 18 included seven receptions against both the Arizona Cardinals and Oakland Raiders.
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“He’s definitely better this week,” quarterback Jay Cutler said. “You can definitely see his burst is back. Getting in and out of cuts. He looked fast on film. If you watched him on film he looked like a guy that is pretty well rested.
“We want to try to incorporate him a little more. He blocked really well for us last week but we want to try and get him some more balls and get him going.”