Countdown to Kickoff… Johnny Knox Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

Dec 4, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox (13) makes a catch in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during the second half at Soldier Field. The Chiefs defeated the Bears 10-3. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

We decided to do a countdown to the Chicago Bears season opener on September 8th versus the Cincinnati Bengals. Thanks to one of our Twitter followers, we decided to combine the countdown with a roster preview of sorts.

We’re less than two weeks away from the season opener.  In fact, two weeks from today, we’ll be dissecting every play of the Bears’ first game of the Marc Trestman era.  Today was supposed to be Devin Aromashodu days away, but he was cut, so let’s look back at the career of one of the more promising 13’s in recent Bears history, Johnny Knox.

Johnny Knox was a success story until his career took a sudden and unfortunate turn at the end of the 2011 season.  He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2009 draft out of Abeline Christian.  Knox became an immediate contributor in his rookie season.  Not only did he contribute as a wide receiver, but he also made an impact as a kick returner, making the Pro Bowl in that capacity.

In 2010, Knox led all Bears receivers with 960 receiving yards on 51 catches and 5 TD’s and the arrow was pointing up as a stretch the field receiver.  In 2011, he was second in the NFL in yards per reception with 19.6 yards per catch.  Then his career took a tragic turn during a December game against Seattle.  While trying to recover his own fumble, Knox was bent backwards, suffering a serious spinal injury. He was taken for immediate surgery to stabilize his vertebra.  His season ended on IR.

In 2012, he came to camp and started on the PUP list, but the injury was just too serious as he still appears to walk with a limp.

The Bears will still be in search for a stretch the field wide receiver to fill Knox’s role.  I would have loved to see him playing alongside Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Martellus Bennett.  Best of luck to Johnny for a continued recovery.

Another notable #13 in Bears history – and not in a good way – is Rick Mirer.  The Bears traded away a first round pick to get Mirer in the 1997 draft.  He had 0 TD’s and 6 INT’s in his lone season with the Bears.  Need I say more?

We’re just 13 days away.  Are you ready???

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