How will Chicago Bears handle WRs without Taylor Gabriel?

Taylor Gabriel has been announced out for the Chicago Bears Week 4 game against Minnesota. How will the wide receivers sort out?

After a three-touchdown performance on Monday Night Football, the Chicago Bears have announced that Taylor Gabriel will be out in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings. This news came somewhat early, as Gabriel has not practiced at all this week.

So, the team is not caught off guard. However, they do need someone to step up. Gabriel is second on the team in snaps by a wide receiver, and second statistically behind Allen Robinson. What is going to happen with the rest of the group?

Anthony Miller

Conventional wisdom says Miller steps up. However, that may not be true. Miller has been eased into the mix in his second NFL season and has shown frustrations with limited snaps and offensive opportunity. The fact is that Miller is typically a player who can turn up screens and work out of the slot. He is not a complete wide receiver, and injuries may have him off in the timing of the offense.

Miller has played 77% of his snaps in the slot. When the Bears go three wide receivers, Miller will be out there. However, his role may remain in the slot, as he is not trusted to stretch the field in a way that Gabriel does.

Cordarelle Patterson

The next man who is going to step up to the plate would likely be Patterson. However, Patterson has played over 57% of his snaps in the slot. On top of that, he has spent some time in the backfield. Patterson as the speed to stretch the field on the outside and may cut into some of the loss of Gabriel. However, Matt Nagy has made it clear that his role is not necessarily wide receiver. He is an offensive playmaker.

Javon Wims

Tarik Cohen is another name to keep in mind when it comes to a field stretcher on the outside. However, the actual winner from Gabriel being injured may be Javon Wims. Remember, Wims played more than Anthony Miller in Week 1. From there, he has played sparingly but has still been a part of the offense.

While Patterson, Cohen, and Miller can move around and work out of the slot, Wims has typically been playing on the outside. He does not have the speed of Gabriel, but he has the size to catch deep, contested passes.

Look for Cohen, Miller, and Patterson to cut into the loss of Gabriel, but Javon Wims may get a real chance to prove himself on Sunday.