The Chicago Bears fourth-round rookie has gotten off to a slow start to training camp
The Chicago Bears started training camp with mostly good news. No surprise names were on the Physically Unable to Perform list, although one player is dealing with a slight injury.
On the first day of practice, rookie receiver Riley Ridley came up limping with a right hamstring injury. Head coach Matt Nagy has downplayed the injury, saying that Ridley will be out on the field in no-time.
However, Ridley has now missed two days of practice.
Riley Ridley (right hamstring) is not practicing today, but is out here walking around without much of a limp. That’s encouraging. Fellow rookie WR Emmanuel Hall is also not practicing today. They might just be bringing him along slowly, but we’ll see what Nagy says about it.
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) July 27, 2019
This is worth noting since Ridley is a rookie. A fourth-rounder at that. Nothing is guaranteed for a player who was outproduced at Georgia by teammate Javon Wims. He will have to climb his way up to the depth chart, and even has to show something to guarantee a spot on the team.
However, it is not a serious injury, and the Bears seem to be taking precaution rather than getting him back into the mix so that he does not miss a beat.
When the Bears drafted Ridley he was looked at as a luxury pick. The chances of him producing in year one were slim, and he was expected to be eased into the mix.
Now that he is behind he should still make the roster. As mentioned, they did not want much out of him other than to learn this year. However, his chances of getting on an NFL field early into his career are sidelined for the time being. Expect limited production in year one from Ridley.