While the scuffle between Kyle Fuller and Martellus Bennett stole most of the headlines on Monday at Chicago Bears training camp, Marquess Wilson’s fractured clavicle has the potential to be a much bigger story in the long run.
On Tuesday, Bears GM Phil Emery announced that Wilson had undergone surgery to repair the damage the receiver sustained as he tried to dive for a catch in practice. Like Marc Trestman Monday, Emery declined to give a timetable for the receiver’s return, but it wouldn’t be particularly surprising if the team decided to put Wilson on injury reserve with a designation to return.
Putting him on that list would mean he’d be eligible to return for the Bears’ ninth game of the season, which will be played Nov. 9 against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
Aside from the speculation on how long Wilson’s injury will keep him out, the question still needs to be answered as to who will replace him in the lineup. Eric Weems was taking a lot of reps during Tuesday’s practice, but both Chris Williams and Josh Morgan will likely get some looks as well.
Having a speedy guy like Weems in the slot will be good for the Bears’ offense, but losing Wilson’s size and ability to line up outside and push Alshon Jeffery or Brandon Marshall into the slot does take away some of Trestman’s freedom to be creative.
