Bears WR White to have surgery on his left shin to repair stress fracture

  • Associated Press
  • Saturday, August 15, 2015 5:03pm
  • SportsSports

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — One day after injured Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White started running on grass for the first time at training camp, he felt pain and knew he faced a worst-case scenario.

White will have surgery on his left shin to repair a stress fracture and will start the regular season on the physically unable to perform list after rest and therapy failed to cure shin pain he first had in June in organized team activities.

“I mostly just tried to let it heal on its own,” White said Saturday. “I wanted to do it natural.

“Surgery is not a No. 1 option for anyone so it was obviously the last option and we’re at a last option.”

White, the former West Virginia player drafted seventh overall, will have a rod put in the tibia to stabilize the leg. It’s possible he could miss the entire season, but the Bears are holding out hope he can return for the second half of the season. They can use his roster spot for another player until Week 11 without activating him or putting him on injured reserve.

White had figured into the Bears’ plans as either an opening day starter or eventual starter during the regular season opposite wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who currently is sidelined with a calf strain. For now White will be on PUP doing rehab and studying the offense.

“That gives us the option of bringing him up in the later portions of the season if need be, but I want to state right now, our whole focus is his long-term health,” Pace said. “I know he’s going to be a great player for the Chicago Bears. I want to make sure that we protect him.”

White said he won’t force the issue and will stick with a long-term recovery plan even though he wants to play badly.

“If it’s this season, then great,” he said. “If it’s next season then I’ll just have to wait. … Probably the most difficult thing I’ve had to do in a little while. Kind of just throwing-in-the-towel kind of thing.”

The injury to his lower shin occurred in June and the Bears rested White until training camp. Then he began a cardio program designed to keep pressure off his shin, and began running lightly off to the side at camp on Monday. On Tuesday he had pain in the shin.

White said he had no previous shin problems and felt no pain while doing conditioning during the predraft process.

“It’s the sport,” he said. “It’s not going to be all sunshine every day so you’ve got to roll with the punches.”

The Bears had been vague about the exact nature of White’s injury before Saturday.

“I think, me personally, we tell you the body part and that’s all we have to tell you,” coach John Fox told reporters. “We’re not doctors, and I’ll stick to that.”

Fox now is using veteran free-agent acquisition Eddie Royal and third-year player Marquess Wilson at the wide receiver spots.

Jeffery suffered his calf strain Wednesday, a day after White started feeling pain in his shin again. He was listed by Fox as day to day.

“We’re out here at practice to get better,” Fox said about the receiver spot. “You look on the wire, you look on cuts at which time those things happen. We’re always trying to get better, and that’s a part of it.”

To bolster the position, the Bears signed former CFL wide receiver Jeremy Kelley to a one-year contract and waived linebacker DeDe Lattimore.

Kelley came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Indianapolis in 2013 and was waived before the season. He signed with Fox’s old team, the Denver Broncos, on Dec. 30 but was waived in May.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.