Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery’s status still up in the air
Staff Reporter
Jeffery’s status (strained hamstring) remains murky for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. It’s a positive sign that he continues to practice, saying “I’ll be back out there soon, hopefully.”
Even though his strained hamstring continues to limit him at practice, Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery insists he isn’t running low on patience.
“It just comes with the territory of playing football,” Jeffery said Thursday at Halas Hall. “There’s a 100 percent chance that you’re going to get injured.”
That said, Jeffery’s status remains murky for Sunday against the Chiefs. It’s a positive sign that he continues to practice, but he also participated in limited fashion last week and sat out against the Raiders.
“I mean I miss being out there a lot, but at the same time, it’s a process,” Jeffery said. “But I’ll be back out there soon, hopefully.”
Offensive coordinator Adam Gase knows his offense will change when Jeffery, the best vertical threat on the team, is included.
Jeffery did play in the opener against the Packers, making five catches for 78 yards. But he still was coming off a strained calf that kept him out of the entire preseason.
“It’ll be interesting to see how we evolve and adapt and try and use him to his strengths and get him rolling, as soon as they tell us that he’s ready to go,” Gase said.
What would Jeffery tell fans who are becoming impatient with his recovery?
“I mean, it’s a process,” Jeffery said. “As a fan, as a player, I want to be out there, too. But it’s a process. I mean, it’s a long season.”
Ratliff returns
Defensive lineman Jeremiah Ratliff was limited at practice, but he said he’ll play against the Chiefs.
With his three-game suspension over, Ratliff was eligible to return last week against the Raiders, but he still was recover- ing from a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the third game of the preseason.
“It was a game-time thing,” Ratliff said of missing the Raiders game. “I’ll be up this week. That’s all that matters.”
Porter or Ball?
With cornerback Alan Ball still limited by a groin injury, veteran cornerback Tracy Porter is looking at another start.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fan- gio wasn’t surprised to see Porter excel in coverage against Raiders rookie receiver Amari Cooper last week.
“He’s got good corner ability,” Fangio said. “He’s got good movement, got good football instincts and savvy.”
Injury news
Receiver EddieRoyal (ankle), safety Antrel Rolle (ankle), nickel back SherrickMcManis (hamstring), left tackle Jermon Bushrod (concussion) and Patrick Omameh (ankle) all missed practice for the second consecutive day.
The following players also remained limited at practice: Linebacker SheaMcClellin (elbow), defensive linemanWill Sutton (elbow), punter Pat O’Donnell (knee) and right tackle Kyle Long (ankle/back).
Follow me on Twitter @adamjahns.