Alshon Jeffery Returns From Hamstring Injury To Join Bears
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It had been a dozen days since Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery had tweaked his right hamstring. He hadn't participated in a full capacity since until Thursday night, when he decided he was going to play in Chicago's preseason opener against Denver.
It came as a bit of a surprise considering Jeffery hadn't fully prepared leading up to the game.
"I was feeling good," Jeffery told reporters after the Bears' 22-0 loss to the Broncos. "Plus, I missed all of preseason last year."
Last August, Jeffery suffered a calf injury on a fluke play in the Bears' walk-through leading up to their preseason opener. He missed the entire preseason with what was the first of four soft-tissue muscle injuries that would riddle his 2015 campaign.
When Jeffery tweaked his hamstring at this training camp in Bourbonnais, concern set in that nothing had changed for the star receiver. Proving he wanted to take the field was considered a positive.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was happy to see Jeffery in the huddle.
"It says a lot," Cutler said of Jeffery's presence. "The last two days, he kind of ramped it up at practice. I wasn't really sure if he was going to go or not, but he wants to be out there with us. He's got an energy. There's something about him this year, which is exciting for us."
Added Bears coach John Fox: "He worked hard to get back."
The Bears had worked Jeffery back to action cautiously, but ultimately, his desire to play on Thursday would be a factor in the team's decision.
Jeffery finished the game with just one catch for 12 yards, a first down on the Bears' first play from scrimmage. Not much would go right for the offense, which finished the game with just 130 yards and nine punts to eight first downs.
Despite the outcome, Jeffery's presence in the opener was an important positive.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
