Alshon Jeffery is out for the next four games, suspended by the league for violating its policy against performance-enhancing drugs. He won’t be back in uniform until Week 15.
This is a blow to Jay Cutler. Cutler has a rapport and confidence with Jeffery that hasn’t been there with the team’s other wide receivers. But at the same time, with Jeffery taken out of the equation, it will force Cutler to now send more balls to other players.
Cameron Meredith, for one, comes to mind. He has some ability. He went over 100 yards in his first two starts with Brian Hoyer. But Cutler has largely ignored him. Meredith came up with a 50-yard touchdown on a Hail Mary on Sunday but otherwise has seen only 3 targets in his last two games, resulting in 1 catch for 24 yards.
Eddie Royal is a pro’s pro and caught a touchdown back in Week 1. He’s a guy who should get a lot busier.
Kevin White is on injured reserve, but GM Ryan Pace says he expects White will play this season. White will be eligible to return in Week 13, giving him two games before Jeffery gets back.
Zach Miller looks pretty solid right now. He’s gotten 17 targets in the last two weeks. There’s some trust there. With a decent matchup, Miller looks like a top-10 tight end.
Mostly with these pass catchers, we’re looking at Weeks 12-13. The Bears in those weeks are home against the Titans and 49ers. Especially against San Francisco, there should be some production.
When Jeffery has been out there (with Cutler at quarterback), he’s accounted for 35 percent of the team’s receiving yards. That’s a big number. Usually, only a few players finish any given season over 35 percent.
Jeffery will be a free agent next spring, and this suspension makes him more likely to wind up in a new city. The Bears won’t again protect him with the franchise tag, and he’ll go to some team that believes his upside outweighs the risk of him getting suspended again.
| JEFFERY WITH CUTLER AT QB | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Yards | Jeffery | Pct |
| at Hou. | 216 | 105 | 49% |
| Phil. | 235 | 96 | 41% |
| Minn. | 252 | 63 | 25% |
| at T.B. | 182 | 47 | 26% |
| Total | 221 | 78 | 35% |
—Ian Allan