With key receivers sidelined, the Bears rely on unproven talent and practice squad hopefuls to face the Packers. Can they deliver?
The depth at wide receiver will be tested for the Chicago Bears on Saturday in the upcoming game against the Green Bay Packers.
In the Thursday injury report, Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden (ankle) were ruled out of the game. This means that the receivers at Chicago's disposal will be D.J. Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay.
Moore and Zaccheaus have been regulars in the receiver room this year, but the Bears will need more from the likes of Duvernary, and even practice squad members like Jahdae Walker, J.P. Richardson and Maurice Alexander.
Duvernay has been the team's return specialist this season, with 929 return yards so far.
Regardless of who suits up at receiver for Chicago, head coach Ben Johnson didn't sound too worried about the team's depth at the position.
"I've been really pleased with that room," Johnson said. "We've got some young guys in there that we've been really impressed with throughout training camp, that ended up being on the practice squad, and if called upon, I think they've done a great job of soaking the offense in over the course of the season so far and being involved. Coach El (Antwaan Randle El) has done a great job with them, just keeping them engaged and walking through. So, they're in a great spot. I feel that way about all the guys that are either on the practice squad, or primarily special teams players up to this point."
Walker and Richardson were both undrafted free agents back in April.
Walker has played in three games. He accounted for 935 receiving yards and four touchdowns at Texas A&M from 2023-24.
Richardson spent his college days at TCU (2023-24) and Oklahoma State (2021-22). He accounted for 1,944 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Alexander is the only of the three practice squad receivers with more than one season of NFL experience. He went undrafted in 2020 and was selected by the Philadelphia Stars in the 2022 USFL Draft.
He was later signed by the Detroit Lions to their practice squad later that year. He spent 2023 and 2024 on the Lions' practice squad before joining the Bears in January on a reserve/future contract.
Alexander has previously been with the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants organizations.
We'll see which of these players gets elevated from the practice squad ahead of kickoff on Saturday. That game is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.