LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Though the news of Kevin White's potentially season-ending surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left shin put a damper on the final weekend of camp; the reality of the situation is the Chicago Bears have been preparing for life without White since June.
"I don’t know how much it changes anything with the guys in the room, because we’ve all been busting our butts, working as hard as we can, preparing like we’re the starters," Bears receiver Eddie Royal said.
White never practiced in Bourbonnais. That unfortunate turn of events allowed Royal and Marquess Wilson to gobble up almost an unlimited amount of reps with the starters, along with Alshon Jeffery, who has been sidelined with a mild calf strain.
If there is any positive to the White news, it’s that the team spent all of camp working without him, thereby preparing Royal and Wilson for increased roles.
"It gives other guys opportunities," head coach John Fox said. "We’ll have a next-man up approach whether it’s here, in the season, or in the postseason. You keep 53 men on the roster and you keep them for a reason, because you think they can play. It’s an opportunity for guys to step up. We’ll always look to improve our roster. That will not change. We’ll see who steps up."
Royal already figured to be a large part of the offense, but where the Bears lucked out, is that Royal can play multiple wide receiver positions. The veteran’s best fit is still probably in the slot, but his versatility should make the Bears less predictable.
"I’ve been trying to learn the whole system, just so if anything happens that I’ll be able to step in and play wherever," Royal said. "I think we’ve got a number of guys that are doing that, just because you never know during the course of a season which guys are going to be up and which ones are going to be down, so a lot of us are preparing to play anywhere."
Wilson had a terrific camp. He is expected to have an impactful third season; provided he can stay healthy and handle the increased workload.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Bears will keep the status quo.
The Bears added 6-foot-6 receiver Jeremy Kelley over the weekend, but don’t be surprised if general manager Ryan Pace pursues more experienced wideouts when they become available.
The Bears have the seventh priority on the NFL’s waiver wire.
"Obviously, right away, you look at your own roster," general manager Ryan Pace said. "There are guys that are going to have to step up and emerge, and all those things are going to have to happen. We're confident with that. Just like all these positions, we're going to be scouring the preseason. Whether it's trade scenarios or claims, that part's actually fun as an evaluator, looking forward to that."
