Chicago Bears Put Kevin White on PUP List
May 8, 2015; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White (13) during Chicago Bears rookie minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bears G.M. Ryan Pace announced Saturday that receiver Kevin White is now on the PUP list. The 2015 No. 7 overall has a stress fracture in his shin that will require him to have surgery. White well be on that PUP list is for six weeks but it is possible that he could miss his entire rookie season.
The Bears hoped rest and rehabilitation would solve the issue but White suffered a setback this week. The pain returned and coaches noticed a change in White’s gait, leading to the inevitable. White couldn’t have been anything but devastated by this news buy remains optimistic in the media.
He told NFL.com, “I feel I can play. But you’ve got to look at the coaches, trainers and if they say, ‘Kevin, give it another week,’ that’s what I have to do,” he said Friday. “Hopefully we’ll get some good news and hopefully I’ll be back out there very soon.”
White was drafted to replace Brandon Marshall while teaming up with star wideout Alshon Jeffery. But now, it looks like veteran Eddie Royal will take on a much bigger role in the offense. Perhaps they turn to the running game and Matt Forte, who’s often injured himself, more this year.
Losing White does not help the Bears cause at all with White needing all the reps he can get. Coming from the spread-offense and going into a pro-style offense has a steep learning curve to it. And being out for a minimum of the first six weeks is particularly damaging to a rookie, regardless of systems.
This is not good for the Bears.