The Chicago Bears received some unfortunate news when they learned that WR Marquess Wilson re-fractured his foot and may miss the start of the 2016 season.
Chicago Bears WR Marquess Wilson can’t catch a break. Unfortunately, he constantly has to deal with them. John Fox announced on Wednesday that the fourth-year receiver had re-fractured his left foot and will have surgery on Monday. It is the same foot Wilson had surgery on last December.
Fox: WR Marquess Wilson left practice yesterday after re-fracturing his foot. Surgery is scheduled for early next week.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) June 15, 2016
Wilson, a 2013 seventh round draft choice, has struggled to stay healthy during his time with the Bears. He missed nine games in 2014 with a broken right collarbone and missed the end of the 2015 season with the previously mentioned foot fracture.
There has been no indication as to how long Wilson will be out, but he is expected to miss all of training camp and the preseason and his status for week one of the season is unclear.
Wilson is expected to begin regular season on the PUP list.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) June 15, 2016
If Biggs is accurate (he usually is), that means Wilson will miss at least the first six games of the regular season. Wilson has shown plenty of potential when he’s been on the field, but unfortunately for the Washington State product, that has been few and far between. At this point, Fox and Ryan Pace have to start to wonder if the injuries are going to be too much for the wide receiver to overcome. The Bears do have some depth behind Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White in the persons of Eddie Royal, Daniel Braverman, and even Marc Mariani, but none of them offer the size and skill that Wilson has downfield.
It’s reasonable to expect that this could open the door for Cameron Meredith to get some more reps with the offense and snag Wilson’s roster spot if he impresses with this opportunity. Meredith impressed Bears’ brass last season in limited chances, and now could “Wally Pip” Wilson while he’s injured. Either way, it’s an unfortunate situation for Chicago’s offense that could have used Wilson’s skills behind Jeffery and White.
It’s an unwelcome scenario for Chicago’s offense that could have used Wilson’s skills behind Jeffery and White. But it’s more inopportune for Wilson who continues to struggle with injuries. Those injuries may prevent him from ever becoming the reliable target the Bears have always thought he could become.
Bill Zimmerman is an editor and featured writer for FanSided‘s BearGogglesOn. Like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter for more news and interaction.