Chicago Bears: 5 players who are big injury risks in 2021

If he makes the Chicago Bears roster, Marquise Goodwin is an injury concern

The Chicago Bears were not satisfied with the wide receiver group last year. Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney were bright spots, but the rest of the wide receivers failed to deliver. Anthony Miller was supposed to take a big step forward last season, but instead, he took another step backward. This is why Ryan Pace went out and signed the likes of Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd — both have been talked up quite a bit already this offseason.

Byrd is an undrafted free agent who came on strong his last two seasons. Goodwin is a former third-round pick of the Buffalo Bills but has only put together one season worthy of being considered an above-average wide receiver. This season took place his first year in San Francisco (2017). Goodwin caught 56 balls for 962 yards but only two touchdowns. He also struggled to catch the football. He had 105 targets, which means he only caught 53.3% of them.

Goodwin has never been a volume guy. He’s the type of receiver who catches a few balls per game and most are usually deep routes. This is why he averages 16.6 yards per reception. If he doesn’t score deep, he usually doesn’t score. At 5’9″, it is difficult to be a big red zone target. This is why he only has 13 touchdowns throughout his career. Goodwin’s other issue has always been his health.

2017 was also the only season that Goodwin had started all 16 games. He opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. He was placed on injured reserve the year before and only played in nine games. The year prior to that (2018), Goodwin played in 11 games. At 30 (31 in November) years old, Goodwin will be an injury risk, even if he is likely the fourth or fifth option at best on offense.