Alshon Jeffery Set To Return Against The San Francisco 49ers

Even though Jay Cutler will not be the Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback when the team faces the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night, the offense is still likely to receive a boost. Since the Bears week 5 match-up against the Jacksonville Jaguars, their has been a revolving door on the opposite side of Brandon Marshall at the wide receiver position. Earl Bennett, and at times Devin Hester, have tried to provide a secondary option for Bears’ quarterbacks. But for the same reasons why the the Bears traded for Marshall in the off-season, both Bennett and Hester have struggled when it came to receiving passes across the middle of the field.

Oct 7, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) congratulates wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) after he scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of their game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. The Bears won 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-US PRESSWIRE

That is why rookie receiver Alshon Jeffery received high praises from Cutler, and Jefferey was quickly becoming a favorite option in the Bears’ offense. Jeffery, who fractured his hand against the Jaguars during week 5, has collected a total of 14 catches this season for a total of 184 yards to go along with two touchdowns. While Jeffery’s season output may not seem that significant, there is something that was clearly missing from the Bears’ offense since Jeffery was sidelined. The one thing that Jeffery brought to the Bears’ offense was a tall, physical receiver that was a threat to catch passes between the lines. That is a skill-set that Bennett and Hester have failed to possess this season. Not only was Jeffery the perfect compliment to Marshall, but he also is a receiver that Cutler has taken a strong liking to.

While Cutler will not be the one throwing passes on Monday, Jeffery will certainly be a welcome sight for Jason Campbell on Monday. Jeffery participated in practice on Thursday and Friday, and the expectation is that the receiver will be on the field along with the Bears’ offense on Monday. Both Lovie Smith and Mike Tice are excited about the prospects of Jeffery returning to the Bears’ offense on Monday.

It may not be a compliment that the Bears offensive production may be dependent upon a rookie receiver, but nonetheless, hopefully the offense will be able to find some form of success against the 49ers’ defense.