How this activation could impact Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears saw the first signs of a potential activation from their rookie wide receiver Velus Jones. While he missed the first game with a hamstring injury, there is a chance that he will be healthy enough to suit up this week, and if not, he should certainly be ready for the following game, barring no setback.

So, after seeing impressive displays from guys like Dante Pettis, and Equanimeous St. Brown, what will happen to their roles? How does the depth chart shake-up?

To start, Darnell Mooney will the number one, and ESB should remain second on the outside. ESB is the team’s “X” wide receiver, as they moved Darnell Mooney off of the football and into the slot often. He is the leading blocker, and after his performance in week two, combined with the clear trust he earned in the offseason, he is locked into this role.

Byron Pringle lost his job to ESB because of his injury. For the most part, ESB just earned it and it was hard to immediately give back. Still, Pringle may still be the number three for the time being. He spent 50% of his routes in the slot, and 50% outside, as did Mooney. On the flip side, ESB was always outside, so the other two will move around in three-wide sets.

Still, Pringle already was unseated by ESB, and Velus Jones is coming for him. Jones is ideal for the role of the slot receiver who shifts outside at times. It would push Byron Pringle into the fourth wide receiver role, which is not where he wants to be, but where he may be best.

At this spot, he has to be able to run routes such as the X, Z, and slot wideout. That is the type of player they signed him to be, so now he is just depth and will see his work. That leaves Dante Pettis and Imhir Smith-Marsette fighting for one role.

Pettis will likely lose his punt return to Velus Jones when he comes back. He also will go from someone who got onto the field a decent amount last week to someone who will be limited to the fifth wideout spot.

That will leave ISM inactive after getting a helmet last week. Smith-Marsette was the backup return man and was the fifth wide receiver, so with Jones pushing him down the totem pole at both, it is likely that he will be sitting out next week.