Chicago Bears injury update

The bad news on the injury front this off season for the Chicago Bears is losing wide receiver Marquess Wilson to a broken collar bone. Earlier this week USA Today learned some details on Wilson's recovery time.

Wilson, 21, broke his collarbone in three places when he was injured in practice two weeks ago, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because injury details were to remain private. He had surgery Aug. 5 and the initial timeline for recovery was set at 12 to 14 weeks.

Twelve weeks out from his surgery lands smack dab in the middle of the Bears bye week. Following their bye week they travel to Green Bay to play the Packers on a Sunday Night Football, November 9. Week 11 the Bears host the Vikings on November 16.

Since Wilson's timetable to return is so long, the Bears could elect to put him on short term injured reserve. We probably won't discover their plans until final cutdown day

The other blow to the Bears depth chart was losing tight end Zach Miller to season ending injured reserve. Miller was having a good camp and he seemed to be in the plans for 2014.

The good news is that among all the other injured Bears, none are considered too serious.

Wide receiver / kick returner Chris Williams, who inured his hamstring against the Eagles, has been cleared to play this Friday night against the Seahawks. With Eric Weems cut, the opportunity is greater for Williams and the other returners on the roster. Micheal Spurlock is listed atop the depth chart on both kick and punt returns, but expect to see Williams field a few balls.

Right tackle Jordan Mills returned to practice today participating in individual drills, but he won't be playing against Seattle. Michael Ola was lining up with the ones at RT today.

Safety Chris Conte has finally been cleared and he will play in Seattle this Friday night.

Other Bears not expected to play on Friday are cornerbacks Kyle Fuller (ankle) and Isaiah Frey (hamstring), and offensive lineman Eben Britton (hamstring) and Brian de la Puente (knee). All four sat out practice again today.

Newly signed wideout Santonio Holmes has been practicing all week, but his status for Friday night's 3rd preseason game is undecided.

In case you missed it, two Bears have seemingly won their spots on the 53 man roster. Pat O'Donnell is the only punter on the roster and Brandon Hartson is the lone long snapper still around. It makes sense to give these two players all the reps moving forward just to be sure they are who the Bears think they are.

One more nugget for this Friday's game, Chicago head coach Marc Trestman announced that Jordan Palmer will be the 2nd QB used followed by Jimmy Clausen.

#Bears QB plan for Seahawks: Cutler into the second quarter, Palmer in the third and Clausen in the fourth.

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 20, 2014

I would guess that QB David Fales would be held out until the 4th preseason game.