Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Given Kevin White's injury, are there any street free agents that you think could help the Bears?
Rob
Crown Point, Indiana
With NFL rosters at 90, there probably aren't any street free agents available at this point who could make much of an impact for the Bears. However, I fully expect them to monitor the waiver wire when teams are required to make cuts and wouldn't be surprised if they claim a receiver or two. Either way, I believe that the receivers who will help make up for Kevin White's absence are already on the roster, namely Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson, both of whom likely will get more opportunities behind Alshon Jeffery. White's injury will also give another player such as maybe Joshua Bellamy or Cameron Meredith a chance to earn a roster spot as a reserve receiver and special-teams contributor.
I know it's unofficial, but I was surprised to see that Sam Acho was ahead of Willie Young on the depth chart after Young's fantastic last season. Do you know why he is so low?
Nick P.
Arlington Heights, Illinois
Willie Young is listed as third on the depth chart at outside linebacker behind Pernell McPhee and Sam Acho primarily because he's learning a position he's never played before and he missed the entire offseason program while recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon he sustained last season. In his first year with the Bears in 2014, Young recorded a career-high and team-leading 10 sacks at defensive end. But he has been switched to outside linebacker in the Bears' new 3-4 defense. Still recovering from last season's injury, Young was held out of the Bears' preseason opener against the Dolphins. Here's what general manager Ryan Pace recently said about Young: "He's ramping up more and more and he's gaining confidence with each rep. So I feel good about it. You'll see him doing more and more team [drills], and more and more contact, change of direction. Willie's a good pass rusher with length and he's disruptive hitting the quarterback, so we're confident with him."
During pre-draft medical checks, was there any indication that Kevin White could suffer the type of shin injury he sustained in OTA workouts?
Brian L.
Indiana
None whatsoever. Kevin White had a clean bill of health entering the draft and he was performing well in practice before suffering a stress fracture in his shin during OTA workouts in June. GM Ryan Pace told reporters that a strength of White's was his health and that the team was fired up watching him perform in offseason practices because he was "everything we thought." Asked about his medical background, White said: "It's been pretty clean throughout my career. It's my first time handling something like this."
