With the injury and inactive status of Keenan Allen, Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season was an opportunity for second-year wide receiver Tyler Scott. The Chicago Bears drafted Scott in the fifth round of the 2023 draft, so hopes were not too high.
Scott had a quiet rookie season due to his inability to track passes but there was a thought that with a new coaching staff, he could have newfound value on offense.
There was hope that Scott could be a factor in the Bears' Week 2 offensive game plan, considering the injury to Allen. To almost everyone's surprise, it was DeAndre Carter who filled in as the slot receiver this past Sunday instead of Scott.
Carter played 50 snaps and Scott played just 3. Carter had three catches for 32 yards, but Scott predictably did not catch a pass.
Tyler Scott continues to be overlooked by the Bears' coaching staff.
This is nothing against Carter, but he is 31 years old, he has been in the NFL since 2018, and his career-high in yards was 538 back in 2022. There is not much upside in what he brings. Scott is still unknown in year two and there could be something.
The decision to feature Carter in the offense over Scott could be a sign that the new Bears' offensive coaching staff is not high on Scott. Despite the potential that Scott has with his speed, it has yet to manifest itself consistently on Sundays.
It is a big indictment from a small move, but it is hard to see Scott getting chances like this often. Even if he does, it is clear that he is not trusted yet.