Bears WR White to resume running

White was placed on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list prior to start camp, which is not unusual for guys who cannot pass a physical in time for the beginning of camp. “He’ll do some light running on the field”, Pace said on WSCR radio.

Werder also reported that the Bears feel “no rush” to get White on the field as quickly as possible, and this is despite the obvious upside he would bring to the table for Jay Cutler in Adam Gases’s new- and presumably less restrictive- passing attack.

With Cutler and the Bears looking to improve on a 2014 that saw the dour signal-caller finish with just 3,812 yards, 28 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and nine fumbles and the team end up 21st in the league in total offense despite their plethora of offensive talent, White’s contributions to the Chicago cause is sorely needed.

“We have a progressive plan in place”, Pace said. “That’s when we started keeping him off of it”. Contrary to what Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., and Allen Robinson showed us last year, one of the most hard college-to-pro transitions is at the wide receiver position, as raw speed and athletic ability aren’t enough to get by against the cream of the crop. I can understand why the team would want to be cautious with such a valuable asset, but at the same time would like to see him get some work in as the preseason games are right around the corner.

Asked if there’s fear that this is a chronic problem for White, Pace responded, “Once we get it under control, we should be good”. It took a week down in Bourbonnais before head coach John Fox finally copped to the nature of the mysterious shin injury.

But even if the worst-case scenario happens and Kevin White has a “lost” rookie season, I still think the Bears aren’t in too much trouble here. Fox keeps things very close to the chest, leaving me wondering if there is more to the story than he is letting on. He’s a smart guy.

“I have to see him practice”, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said of finding a comfort level with a rookie. We just tried to limit that. “He hasn’t done anything in seven weeks”.