LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) sat out Friday’s practice and is questionable to face the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jeffery practiced in limited fashion on Wednesday and Thursday before skipping Friday’s 70-minute session. The Bears targeted Sunday’s game at Arrowhead Stadium for Jeffery to make his return, but Friday’s development is hardly encouraging. Jeffery missed the past three weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered prior to the game against Arizona.
The Bears practice one more time on Saturday before departing for Kansas City. That final walk-through is where the club makes final determinations on injured players.
“If they are deemed healthy, and we have medical people to do that, then we expect them to perform at a high level,” Bears head coach John Fox said. “I’m not sure anybody in the league is 100 percent in game five.”
Chicago enters Sunday as the 29th-ranked passing offense in the NFL.
“As soon as [Jeffery is] ready to go, it'll be interesting to see kind of how we evolve and adapt and try and use him to his strengths and get him rolling,” offensive coordinator Adam Gase said.
Meantime, fellow wideout Eddie Royal (ankle) is also questionable after sitting out three straight days. Royal caught seven balls for 54 yards and one touchdown in the 22-20 victory over the Oakland Raiders.
Fox said left tackle Jermon Bushrod has been ruled out for Week 5 because of a concussion/shoulder injury, and that veteran safety Antrel Rolle (ankle) is doubtful. Rolle was observed limping around the facility on Thursday with a brace on his ankle. This is expected to be the first game Rolle misses since 2009.
Guard Patrick Omameh (questionable/ankle) failed to practice the entire week, meaning rookie Hroniss Grasu is a strong candidate to make his first career start at center with Matt Slauson staying at left guard.
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee appeared on Friday’s injury report with a shoulder problem and is questionable for the game. McPhee did not practice on Friday but has played through injuries most of the year.
Also questionable for Sunday: Jay Cutler (hamstring), Jimmy Clausen (back), Kyle Long (back/ankle), Tayo Fabuluje (ankle), Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle), Will Sutton (elbow), Shea McClellin (elbow), Alan Ball (groin) and Sherrick McManis (hamstring).
Punter Pat O’Donnell (knee) is probable.
“It’s been par for the course so far this season,” Fox said of the injuries. “We’ve had the injury bug at a variety of positions. But it’s kind of the nature of what we do. It comes in waves, just like turnovers. Sometimes [injuries] just come in waves. Hopefully it thins out here moving forward.”
