Bears Shut Down Another WR With Injury Ahead of Panthers Matchup

As they start practice for their home game against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5, the Chicago Bears have another wide receiver injury to keep an eye on.

Due to a rib ailment, Bears wide receiver DeAndre Carter was unable to take part in the Panthers’ opening practice on October 2. In the first four games, the 31-year-old has made seven catches for 60 yards and has been Chicago’s main kickoff and punt returner.

Although the exact time of Carter’s injury is unknown, the Bears will need to come up with backup plans at several positions in case they are unable to clear him to play against the Panthers. If D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze are fit for Week 5, replacing Carter’s services at wide receiver should be relatively simple. However, Chicago may have more trouble finding a suitable substitute for him on punt and kickoff returns.

Due to a rib injury sustained during the second quarter of the Bears’ victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, left guard Teven Jenkins was also held out of practice. Jenkins’ health for Week 5 is uncertain as head coach Matt Eberflus stated earlier in the week that he is dealing with “a bruised rib” and was rated as “day-to-day” with the injury.

On Sunday, October 6, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time, the Bears (2-2) will take on the Panthers (1-3) and former Chicago quarterback Andy Dalton at Soldier Field.

Could Bears Turn Back to Velus Jones Jr. as Returner?

Carter will continue to work on his rib ailment during two more practices on Thursday and Friday. The Bears might allow him to play against the Panthers without skipping a beat if they are confident he won’t put the injury worse and that his pain threshold won’t be a problem.

Velus Jones Jr. may have one more, possibly last, opportunity to salvage his career in Chicago if the Bears are forced to use one of their backup plans.

Jones, a third-round pick in 2022, was highly anticipated by the Bears heading into the new campaign after he unofficially switched from wide receiver to running back during the preseason. The Bears already had faith in Jones to be their starting kick returner seeing how he performed in the job over his first two years (averaging 27.4 yards per return), but it strengthened his roster case that he could bring an extra element to their new scheme.

But it didn’t take Jones long to lose his way. In the first week of the season, he botched his first kick return, giving the Tennessee Titans possession at the Bears’ 23-yard line. He was benched by the Bears on kick returns right away, and Carter took his place. Carter hasn’t given up the position yet. Since then, Carter has averaged 34 yards on five kick returns for the Bears, while Jones has missed three straight games due to injury.

Carter’s injury may provide Jones a chance to prove himself against the Panthers, but if the Bears choose to go with receiver Tyler Scott or running back Khalil Herbert instead of Carter, it will be a significant indication of what the future holds for Jones in Chicago.