A serious calf injury kept Alshon Jeffery out of commission for the entire 2015 preseason.
Jay Cutler does not want to see history repeat itself.
As Jeffery slowly returns from a minor hamstring strain, the quarterback thinks it’s important for the Bears’ No. 1 receiver to play in exhibition games.
“I think it’s going to be important for him to get a few reps out there, just to get used to football,” Cutler said Monday. “He’s been kind of on and off at camp, so just getting three games, four games in or just getting some reps, just getting his conditioning, will help him get ready to play football. Get some soreness and work through that, I think that would be good for him.”
Last year, Jeffery suffered a calf strain in a closed walk-through practice that forced him to miss all four of the Bears’ preseason contests. He returned to the lineup in Week 1, but wound up battling injuries throughout the year. Following the Bears’ decision to apply the franchise tag, Jeffery stayed away from the team’s voluntary offseason workout program. He reported to camp in good shape but tweaked his hamstring Aug. 3. On Monday, Jeffery did dress in full pads but worked exclusively on a side field. Jeffery is not expected to be active for Chicago's preseason debut Thursday night against the Denver Broncos, but his ultra-limited participation Monday is a sign the wideout’s health is improving, the story all said.
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