Chicago Bears Begin Training Camp with Zero Players on PUP List
The long wait for Chicago Bears fans has finally come to an end. This week will mark the start of the 17th consecutive year of the Bears having their training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. What’s even bigger news is the fact that the ball club will begin their summer practice with absolutely zero players on their physically unable to perform (PUP) list. This is amazing, considering the number of players that were on injured reserve for the Bears in 2017.
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Chicago ended their unforgettable year with 18 players on IR. Some of these players are no longer on the team. However, players like guard Kyle Long, outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, and wide receiver Kevin White were the most noticeable on IR last season. Now, after having offseason surgery on his elbow, neck, and shoulder, Long is ready to go come Day 1 of training camp. The same goes for Floyd, who suffered a sprained MCL and PCL in his right knee. As for White, the 2015 first-round draft pick will be hoping to bounce back after fracturing his shoulder blade and being put on IR for the third year in a row.
Even though the health of these three players will be vital to the Bears’ success in 2018, the stability of their biggest newcomer may be even more important. Wide receiver Allen Robinson is Chicago’s marquee free-agent addition to the roster of this offseason. The former Jacksonville Jaguar signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Bears. This huge contract could be a big gamble, considering the torn ACL Robinson suffered in Week 1 of 2017.
Robinson was limited in minicamp earlier this year, due to his rehabilitation after surgery, but according to the five-year veteran, he feels “100 percent” going into training camp. Obviously, the feeling is mutual with the Bears’ coaching and training staffs.
Chicago’s first practice will be held on Saturday morning of July 21, and their first preseason game will be the Hall of Fame game against the Baltimore Ravens on August 2.
The last time the Bears entered training camp with no one on the PUP list, it was five years ago. Chicago ended that 2013 season with an 8-8 record. With a solid defensive unit that is already in sync, and an offense that has the potential to put up a lot of points, the Bears could be on track to making 2018 a memorable year for all the good reasons. Let’s hope this good fortune of health continues throughout the year.