If the now John Fox-led Chicago Bears are going to get the most out of quarterback Jay Cutler in 2015, they'll need all the help they can get. While wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is an already well-established threat at one wideout position and running back Matt Forte is perhaps the most consistent, versatile running back in the league, the spot across from Jeffery seems to be up for grabs. The presumption to this point in Chicago has likely been that recent first-round pick Kevin White, formerly of West Virginia, was in line to take over Brandon Marshall's vacated position with the first-team offense. It seems an injury may keep the vaunted NFL prospect from hitting the field anytime soon, though. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Thursday that White is dealing with shin splints and hasn't been able to run on "hard ground" of late, which may mean that White both won't be back in the near future and could potentially miss time during the season. Per Rapoport, there's a "real chance" he stays on the PUP into the regular season.
Rapoport added to his own report shortly thereafter, suggesting that White is champing at the bit to get started but that the team is being cautious right now. White may start running next week to test his shins, according to Rapoport.
While Jeffery, Forte, tight end Martellus Bennett, slot wideout Eddie Royal and back-up running back Jacquizz Rodgers would likely help mitigate the possible loss of White, there's no doubting that this isn't how Fox and Bears GM Ryan Pace hoped White's still-young tenure - or theirs - would start out.
In two short seasons at West Virginia White blossomed into an elite wide receiver among the best in the nation at his postion. While his 2013 season saw him finish with just 35 receptions and 507 yards, it was his magical 2014 that vaulted him up draft boards and into the top-10 of the first-round. Playing in the Mountaineers air-raid offense, White garnered 109 catches, 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. While Amari Cooper entered the pre-draft process as the most pro-ready of the wideouts, White very much represented the highest upside of perhaps any prospect available.
With Cutler and the Bears looking to improve on a 2014 that saw the dour signal-caller finish with just 3,812 yards, 28 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and nine fumbles and the team end up 21st in the league in total offense despite their plethora of offensive talent, White's contributions to the Chicago cause is sorely needed.
Missing time early isn't the end of the world, but it certainly doesn't bode well for White's NFL or Bears future.
