Magazu: Long’s shoulder hasn’t been an issue
Bears assistant coaches met the media Tuesday before breaking for the bye week. They offered some insight into several of the team’s injured players:
Long’s shoulder
Offensive line coach Dave-Magazu said evaluating right guard Kyle Long’s season hasn’t been difficult because his left- shoulder issue hasn’t been a problem.
“To be honest with you, we haven’t seen the shoulder issue,” Magazu said.
Long didn’t play against the Vikings because of a strained triceps muscle. Magazu said he injured it during pregame warmups in Green Bay. He was removed in the second quarter against the Packers.
“You could see a little bit of him getting hurt because he couldn’t lock up with his arm,” Magazu said.
But Magazu’s assessment of Long’s shoulder can be viewed as good news. Long hasn’t worn a brace to better secure his shoulder in any game.
“The shoulder thing, I think he’s been fine and hasn’t complained about it and doesn’t feel limited, so I feel we’re kind of dodging it,” Magazu said.
White’s recovery
Wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson was asked for his educated guess as to whether Kevin White will return this season. White had surgery three weeks ago to repair a spiral fracture in his left fibula and was put on injured reserve.
“I think he will,” Johnson said, ‘‘ just because of how that kid is and how determined he is.”
Johnson points to White’s attempt to jog off the field in the third quarter against the Lions on Oct. 2 after he was injured.
“Most guys are going to lie on the field and get carted off,” Johnson said. “He thought he was getting back into the game.”
During a game- day radio interview Oct. 16, general manager Ryan Pace said the team was “eyeballing” Week 13 against the 49ers for White’s return.
“[ White] wants to play,” Johnson said. “He loves to play the game. He doesn’t want to let his teammates down. He’s texting and calling and getting on them and being around.”
Fuller’s availability
Secondary coach Ed Donatell said cornerback Kyle Fuller is “absolutely” making progress physically after he was put on IR on Sept. 27 after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in the preseason.
The Bears are allowed to activate only one player from IR, meaning there’s a big decision ahead picking between Fuller and White.
“[ Fuller is] in all the meetings,” Donatell said. “He’ll take all the tests. He’s engaged — fully engaged. I’m seeing that he’ll come back. I’m not the trainer, and I’m not making those decisions, but that’s what our mindset is.”