BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Chicago Bears head coach John Fox tried on Wednesday to downplay concerns over the mysterious nature of rookie first-round pick Kevin White's shin injury.
White has been on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) since the club reported to Bourbonnais one week ago.
"He's a got shin. You can call it splints, call it whatever you want,” Fox said. "You see him out here. It's not like we're covering up some awful injury where he's in a cast, a boot and crutches.”
White inured the shin during an organized team activity workout at Halas Hall back in June. Fox initially told reporters that White would be ready for the start of camp, but the wide receiver has remained sidelined for all six practices held in Bourbonnais.
"We've got a plan for him” Fox said. "We've wanted to rest it. It was done in OTAs. Most of you were here to watch that. He practiced. He did a great job. He's a heck of a fine young player. It flared up. We shut him down for six weeks, now going on seven, and we're easing him back. He's [chomping] at the bit. He's mad at me right now because I won't let him practice, but we're going to be smart. He is going to be a viable part of our football team. He's doing things with the trainers, and we're going to ramp it up as we go. I can't predict the future. But it's what it is. It flared up. We're trying to get it to settle down, and we'll see where it goes."
Fox hinted on Monday that White may not return to practice before the team breaks camp on Aug. 16.
In other injury news, reserve offensive lineman Michael Ola left practice with a knee injury. Fox did not know the severity of Ola's injury, but the versatile lineman had to be carted off the field. Ola started 12 games at multiple positons last year. His loss for a prolonged period of time would hurt the Bears' depth up front.
Sixth-round draft choice Tayo Fabuluje suffered an asthma attack during Wednesday's session but is expected to be OK. Rookie tight end Brian Vogler sat out with a foot injury.
