Is Alshon Jeffery finished as a member of the Bears?
The team placed their dynamic wideout on injured reserve Wednesday alongside defensive lineman Eddie Goldman, ending their seasons just a few days before the finale against Detroit.
Jeffery was poised for a big contract, and even though he only played in nine games he was still immensely productive. In about half a season, he logged 54 catches for 807 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bears would be wise to make a push to keep him, eventually pairing Jeffery with 2015 first-round pick Kevin White, who missed the entire season with leg issues. Players as good and productive as Jeffery are priorities, especially in a market that will be populated by the likes of Anquan Boldin, Lance Moore, Rueben Randle, Mohamed Sanu, Jermaine Kearse, Rod Streater and Andre Caldwell.
This will be yet another test for Chicago's young general manager, Ryan Pace. Pace has been pushing all the right buttons so far considering that Chicago was all but slated for the No. 1 overall pick a few months ago.
Now, the hard part starts. Outside of Jeffery, Pace needs to make calls on Jay Cutler and franchise legend Matt Forte. Though Forte is 30, his versatility will undoubtedly place him high atop the running back market.
Here's the rest of Wednesday's injury news we are following:
- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went home sick before practice got underway. Big Ben is still expected to play Sunday in the season finale against the Browns. Wideout Martavis Bryant and linebacker James Harrison both didn't practice with illnesses.
- Bills running back LeSean McCoy is unlikely to play Sunday against the Jets. Rex Ryan said "it doesn't look good" for Shady to suit up, which is a blow to Rex's hopes that he can help send his old team home without a playoff appearance.
- Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will not get the reps needed to play in Sunday's season finale and is out against the Titans, coach Chuck Pagano said. There's no update on who will start with newly-added Josh Freeman and Ryan Lindley on the roster along with Stephen Morris being the three healthy quarterbacks. Tight end Dwayne Allen (calf) was placed on injured reserve.
- Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (sports hernia) is day to day and will not play against the Cardinals on Sunday. Coach Pete Carroll said Lynch "still has some discomfort." In addition, safety Kam Chancellor (sore tailbone) is also day to day, Carroll said. Defensive end Michael Bennett (toe) and Chancellor didn't practice. Defensive end Cliff Avril (back) and offensive tackle Russell Okung (calf) were limited.
- Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer will return to the starting lineup Sunday after a concussion held him out last week. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (foot) didn't practice.
- Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant was placed on injured reserve as he deals with foot and ankle injuries. Coach Jason Garrett said it was not in the best interests of Bryant or the football team to play in the team's finale. Garrett added that the wideout will have surgery on his ankle and foot in the next week. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Bryant's injuries aren't considered to be serious and it shouldn't impact his offseason.
- Broncos quarterback Peyton Manningcould back upBrock Osweiler on Sunday if everything goes well in practice, coach Gary Kubiak said. "He's throwing the ball well," Kubiak said. "Last week was a very positive sign."
- The Titans have ruled out rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota for the season finale against the Colts. Mariota wanted to play, but the decision was made by coaches and trainers, according to the team. He'll finish his rookie campaign with 2,818 yards, 19 touchdowns through the air and 10 interceptions for a 91.5 quarterback rating. He also had 252 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground.
- Patriots offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer (ankle) didn't participate. Wideouts Julian Edelman (foot) and Danny Amendola (knee), along with linebacker Dont'a Hightower (knee) were limited.
- A slew of Panthers players didn't practice. Running backs Jonathan Stewart (foot) and Fozzy Whittaker (ankle), wideout Ted Ginn (knee), center Ryan Kalil (illness) and safety Kurt Coleman (foot) missed the session. Linebacker David Mayo (hamstring) was a full participant.
- Cardinals receiver Michael Floyd (knee) and linebacker Dwight Freeney (knee) both didn't practice. Quarterback Carson Palmer (finger), wideout Larry Fitzgerald (ankle), cornerback Patrick Peterson (ankle) and running back Andre Ellington (toe) were limited.
- Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (ankle/shoulder) didn't practice, along with defensive tackle Linval Joseph (foot). Defensive end Everson Griffen (shoulder) was limited.
- Lions wideout Calvin Johnson (ankle) did not practice, as has been the usual case for him this season.
- Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron said he'll be able to go Sunday despite suffering a sprained wrist in Monday's loss to the Broncos. Third-stringer Keith Wenning is the backup. Tight end Tyler Eifert (stinger) was a full participant and said he'll play Sunday.
- Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel is undergoing evaluation for a possible concussion. Wideout Travis Benjamin (ankle) and offensive tackle Joe Thomas (knee) both didn't practice.
- Buccaneers wideout Vincent Jackson was placed on injured reserve with the nagging shoulder injury that's plagued him all year.
- Dolphins wideouts Rishard Matthews (ribs), Jarvis Landry (knee) and Kenny Stills (thigh) were all limited in practice. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins (ankle) did not practice.
- Jets running backs Chris Ivory (knee) and Bilal Powell (ankle) were each limited in practice Wednesday, coach Todd Bowles said.
- Niners running back Shaun Draughn (knee) was placed on injured reserve. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman (shoulder, finger) did not practice.
- Falcons wideout Roddy White (ankle) was held out of practice.
- Peyton Manning (foot) practiced Wednesday night and will back upBrock Osweiler on Sunday, barring any setbacks in practice this week, Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. Linebacker Brandon Marshall (ankle) did not practice and tight end Owen Daniels (knee, shoulder) and safety T.J. Ward (ankle) were limited.
