Just as it seems the Chicago Bears, and quarterback Jay Cutler, are hitting their strides, the team just might be getting a huge impact player back in time for Sunday’s divisional matchup against the floundering Detroit Lions.
What might that surprise be? Alshon Jeffery.
DC Teryl Austin said Lions are preparing for Alshon Jeffery to play: He’s a big target. He’s their guy.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) October 15, 2015
Josh Katzenstein is a Detroit beat writer, and if Detroit is preparing for Alshon, you would think there’s a good chance he’ll be back. While Alshon himself has played it close to the vest, his increased activity in practice points to a possible return on Sunday.
“I’m pretty confident [about staying healthy],” Alshon told reporters. “But I’m just taking it one day at a time. Just trying to take care of nagging injuries. Just trying to get better.”
When asked if he plans on playing on Sunday, Jeffery replied.
“We’re a couple days from Sunday, so we’ll see.”
Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase believes the return of Jeffery can mean huge things for the Bears offense, even if he’s not sure how to use him yet. However surprising as that statement might be, Jeffery is a back-to-back 1,000 receiver who will immediately become the team’s top red zone option.
“I think we’re going to be able to open things up a little bit,” Gase said. “We haven’t really been able to attack down the field. A lot of our guys—Marquess Wilson has tried to do a good job with what we ask him to do. I know Alshon is a special cat. The way that he goes up and gets the ball, it’s rare to see. I know there are a few guys that can do it, but it seems like a contested throw, he wins a lot. Like [receivers coach Mike] Groh always would say, ‘He’s an above the rim player,’ and there’s not a lot of those guys around the league.”
The return of Jeffery will help on many fronts, most importantly taking the added responsibility off players like Marquess Wilson, Josh Bellamy, and Marc Mariani. Although those guys played exceptionally well, especially in Sunday’s win over the Kansas City Chiefs, these guys will settle back into complimentary roles with both Jeffery’s and Eddie Royal’s return.
Alshon Jeffery did participate in open portion of Wednesday's practice. #Bears
— Jeff Dickerson (@DickersonESPN) October 14, 2015
With the promise of Alshon returning, not to forget Eddie Royal, things are certainly looking up for the Bears. While I wouldn’t proclaim a playoff run just yet, the team will have great offensive balance, their defense has responded very nicely, and it appears the team has bought into John Fox’s and all the coaches messaging.
This very well could shape up to a very fun football season on the lakefront.
