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The Chicago Bears have announced that rookie wide receiver Kevin White is going on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
White was the 7th overall draft pick by the Bears, but his 2015 season is in jeopardy. White was fine at the beginning of OTAs, but he aggravated his shin towards the end of their offseason workout program. The Bears decided to start training camp with White on the PUP list, but once he started some light running, he felt discomfort.
He was re-evaluated and a stress fracture was discovered. White underwent surgery a week ago and had a rod inserted into his shin.
With White starting on the PUP list that means he's ineligible to play for at least the first six games of the regular season.
Commencing on the day after the conclusion of the sixth regular season weekend (October 19, 2015) and continuing through the day after the conclusion of the 11th regular season weekend (November 23, 2015), clubs are permitted to begin practicing players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform for a period not to exceed 21 calendar days. Pads and helmets are permitted during the 21-day period. At any time during the 21-day practice period, or prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the day after the conclusion of the 21-day period, clubs are permitted to restore such players on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform to their Active/Inactive List.
I would be surprised to see White play at all this year.
Dr. Charles Bush-Joseph of Midwest Orthopedics at Rush spoke with Comcast sports about a possible return for White this year.
"If the Bears have a great season and we're playing Week 18, Week 19, Week 20, yeah he may be able to contribute," Bush-Joseph said. "But if the season's over at Week 17, then it's better off not risking the 2016 season. Shut him down, let him train in the offseason, let him slowly build up a stamina and slowly build up strength in that bone so that this doesn't happen again."
Do you guys expect to see White come back this year?