Bears Receiver Duo Can Use the Work

Training camp will have to be big for Bears receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool because they're not working at minicamp.

What seemed like a hinderance before is now a concern for the Bears and coach Matt Eberflus admits it.

Wide receiver Chase Claypool is missing minicamp due to injury after missing two weeks of OTAs for this reason. And wide receiver Darnell Mooney is still out rehabbing his ankle after last year's surgery, which was expected.

While it was expected, it does slow progress. This is the case with both players, but especially Claypool.

"I know you guys will ask about Claypool," Eberflus told media members after practice. "He's dealing with a few things right now. He's working with the training staff. He is here."

Before, Eberflus strongly hinted Claypool had soft tissue problems. Those types of injuries could be hamstring, groin muscle or calf pulls.

"What's great about this time of year is we have the luxury of him working with the trainers," Eberflus said. "He's not on a time crunch and we can get him fully healthy working into the summer because we have 40 days when we break from here to get ready for that report to training camp. So, that's what we're trying to do."

Mooney's ankle injury required surgery last year and he hasn't practiced.

"He's progressing," Eberflus said. "They (trainers) have a progression for that, from working in the water from working on zero gravity treadmills, all that stuff, and then working on grass. I'll just tell you this: He's on track where he's supposed to be."

Eberflus didn't want to get specific about Mooney's status but has said before he's expected back by training camp.

"I'm not gonna say where he's at right now. We love where Mooney's at right now," Eberflus said.

Claypool did for one week of OTAs and then went out.

In Claypool's case, it was described as important for him to be on the field working with quarterback Justin Fields to help build a rapport in the passing game and also let him understand the offense better than when the team acquired him via trade for a second-round draft pick midway through last season. Lack of familiarity was cited then as a reason he had just 14 catches for 140 yards in his seven games played.

"I think any time that you're not on the grass doing, it's not as good, obviously," Eberflus said. "He started off getting some work, and then he had some setbacks. He's been working mentally into that. But again, it's not the same. You're not doing it."

As a result, training camp looms large as a time when both Mooney and Claypool will need to be ready to practice and take a lot of throws.

"I think training camp will be big," Eberflus said. "It'll be big for everybody. It'll be big for Mooney. It'll be big for Clay, getting the timing and the rhythm down. The other guys do have a head start on him because they've been here and they've done it.

"Those guys will pick it up. Those guys are both smart. Claypool's been in the system now for a while and he's getting in the motions and shifts and the route disciplines and all that, so we're excited about where that is."

They'll be more excited when DJ Moore isn't the only expected starter on the practice field.

Without those two injured players, Dante Pettis and Equanimeous St. Brown took many of the reps with Moore when the team was in a three-receiver set.

Pettis took advantage with a strong offseason practice that featured a deep ball and a pair of intermediate throws, as well as a short one during two-minute drill.

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