Long in boot after injuring left calf
BOURBONNAIS — Less than an hour into the Bears’ first training-camp practice, their 2016 first-round pick was carted off the Olivet Nazarene University field. An hour after that, their only Pro Bowl player fell to a knee and failed to finish practice.
Coach John Fox said guard Kyle Long appeared to suffer a calf injury toward the end of practice Thursday. It was serious enough that Long later went to the dining hall with a walking boot on his left leg. He figures to miss practice time, at least, though a timeline for his return might not become apparent until Friday.
Leonard Floyd, the No. 9 overall pick, put a scare into onlookers when he rode a trainer’s cart out of practice. Fox revealed after practice, though, that trainers were monitoring the outside linebacker because he had spent the last few days fighting a stomach bug.
Floyd, who took an IV drip into his left arm after leaving practice, said he’ll try to practice again Friday. He wanted to play, even if trainers thought otherwise.
“Because I knew everybody was excited about me being out there today, and I didn’t want to let anybody down,” Floyd said. “I was really mad at the trainers for not letting me go back out there. I’m looking forward to going back out there [Friday] and attacking the day.”
The Bears had three other nota- ble departures during the practice, which was not a full-pads exercise. Tight end Khari Lee had a sprained AC joint in his shoulder, and outside linebacker Roy Robertson-Harris and offensive tackle Nick Becton each had an illness.
Long’s departure was more concerning, though. He didn’t speak to the media but in a tweet late Thursday, Long said he was “gonna be fine” and called the injury a “minor speed bump.”
New WR
Wide receiver B.J. Daniels compared the Bears’ playbook to the Texans’ and Seahawks’ after his first practice. He’s learning on the fly. A former South Florida quarterback who started his pro career at the position, Daniels was signed late Wednesday.
“Being in quarterback rooms and knowing where we want receivers to be and where zones are open actually helped the transition,” Daniels said.
Good condition
NFL rules mandate the Bears must practice without pads the first two days, but Fox said he was pleased with the team’s conditioning after a five-week break.
The team will wear full gear — which Fox said weighs 12 pounds — for the first time Saturday.
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