Long Cleared For Action, Britton Carted Off At Bears' Practice
(CBS) The Bears' offensive line is being stretched a little thin early in training camp, but it did get some good news late Wednesday morning.
Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long remained out of practice as he recovered from a viral infection, but the team announced he's been cleared to return to action. Long will begin conditioning so as to ease his way into full pads. He's been out since camp began last Friday and was re-evaluated by a doctor Monday.
"We're just going to continue to condition him," Bears coach Marc Trestman said. "He has to get his legs underneath him. By Saturday night, you'll see him in pads. We'll work him in individuals and pads on Saturday night; that would be the hope, and then we'll take it from there. We feel if he's got his feet underneath him and his pads are where they should be, we'll see where Saturday night goes."
All along, Chicago hinted that Long's illness wasn't serious.
"Were it up to Kyle, he'd be out there," Bears general manager Phil Emery said last Wednesday.
On a more concerning note, Bears offensive lineman Eben Britton was carted off the field with an injury following a one-on-one pass rushing/blocking drill. He got tangled up with Jeremiah Ratliff, and it was reported after practice that he had a hamstring injury and is day-to-day. Britton is a front-runner to earn a backup job on the line, along with Brian De La Puente.
In other participation news Wednesday, receiver Alshon Jeffery returned for Chicago after leaving Monday's practice early with a sore foot. Cornerback Tim Jennings (quad) was on the field as well. Safeties Craig Steltz (groin) and Chris Conte (shoulder) continue to sit out.