The Chicago Bears might have gotten the loss in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, but things could quickly be looking up for the team. One thing that was clear, health was a concern for the offense. The wide receivers simply did not look as explosive or quick against the Packers defense with injuries plaguing the unit in the preseason. However, heading into Week 2, everyone is healthy giving Jay Cutler plenty to work with.
UPDATE: ALSHON JEFFEREY HAS BEEN RULED OUT FOR WEEK 2. Team released news on injury report ahead of Sunday.
With Kevin White lost for the season, the Chicago Bears are dependent on depth to get by this season. That was an issue in the preseason as Alshon Jeffery, Marquess Wilson and Eddie Royal all missed time with injuries. That lack of work showed in Week 1, but should no longer be an issue in Week 2. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, everyone is healthy and fully participating in practice making Cutler thrilled. The biggest thing for the Bears is a healthy Jeffery. After suffering a calf strain in the preseason, the wide receiver returns to the offense in search of a new contract, something Cutler believes he has earned.
"He buys into what we're doing," Cutler said, via the Sun-Times. "But, I mean, it's not about him just getting a big contract. I think that's the furthest thing from his mind. He wants the team to do well first and then whatever happens with him will happen. Because we have so many formations and we do go pretty fast, I don't know if they're going to want him running all over the field or not"
Jeffery could get some nice fantasy points, but if he is still not fully healthy yet, Wilson and Martellus Bennett will be the keys to keeping the Bears' offense moving. Bennett had five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown against the Packers while Wilson added 59 yards off two catches. Cutler has the most work with those two players heading into the second game of the season and could favor them while Jeffery and Royal continue to improve.
Gambling on a wide receiver from the Bears' offense is a risk considering coordinator Adam Gase likes to spread the ball around. Matt Forte is the biggest homerun hit and should do well against the Cardinals on Sunday. Forte had an easy 141 yards off 24 carries for one touchdown against the Packers. The Bears do not see that workload changing any time soon, so fantasy owners should feel free to keep the veteran in the RB1 slot.
"Matt Forte wears a shirt at the facility every day since my rookie year -- it's a cutoff shirt so his big, ole guns can stick out -- and on the bottom it says '22,' and up top is says 'Workhorse.'" Bears right tackle Kyle Long said on "The Waddle and Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "If I had any issue with him wearing that shirt or if I didn't think there was any validity to that statement, I'd tell him to take it off. But the guy earns it every day.
