Is Adam Shaheen injury hurting Chicago Bears?

Chicago Bears (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Chicago Bears (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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In his third preseason with the Chicago Bears, Adam Shaheen has yet to get on the practice field. Is this going to be an issue?

Adam Shaheen was obviously looked at as a project pick at the time, considering he was a jump ball former basketball player from Ashland. He not only had to learn as a blocker, but as a route runner, and nuanced pass catcher.

However, in year one he has rarely seen thanks to Dowell Loggains and an archaic offense. In year two, Matt Nagy had big plans for Adam Shaheen. Those were derailed when a preseason ankle injury forced him to go on the IR.

After a lost season, year three became a make or break season. However, this year has started with a bunch of questionable injuries as well. Shaheen has yet to get on the practice field, and while head coach Matt Nagy says that he is not worried about it, this has to raise concern.

To start, a player entering year three with more injuries than experience has to have you start thinking that it may not click for Shaheen.

The bigger issue is that the Bears do need them. Yes, spare me with the whole they won the division last year without him. If Shaheen can be healthy and play up to his potential he adds another dimension to this offense. It can be good without him, and better with him. He compliments Trey Burton as a player who can move and identify matchups. He can stress the seams to compliment the blocking of Bradley Sowell, a converted tight end.

He is better than Ben Braunecker, who is the player filling in for Shaheen for the time being. Matt Nagy wants versatility in his offense. He wants three versatile tight ends. He wants to resort to Shaheen more than Braunecker.

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At this point in the preseason, we may be thinking about life with Braunecker. If not for a small stretch, a less than optimal Shaheen for 16 games.