Chicago Bears news: Zach Miller says he will be ready for OTAs
A foot injury in November ended Zach Miller’s 2016 season. He says he will be ready to go when the Chicago Bears head into their OTAs in April.
Zach Miller had a great 2015 season. He finished the season with career highs in receptions (34), yards (439), and touchdowns (5). The Chicago Bears rewarded him with a nice new contract, and they also shipped Martellus Bennett to New England (where he won a Super Bowl ring). Miller was the number one tight end starting the 2016 season.
This season started even better. After ten games, he broke those career highs in receptions (47) and yards (486), and was just one touchdown away from tying that career high (4).
Then that injury bug that destroyed the Bears locker room hit Miller. He suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot and missed the rest of the season. His absence severely restricted the Chicago Bears offense, especially in the red zone.
Now Miller says he feels good, and that he’ll be ready to take part in team Offseason Training Activities (OTAs) starting in April.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
“Everything’s going great. I’ll be ready when we get back in April,” Miller said, via CSNChicago.com. “Everything’s going according to plan, ahead of schedule. I’ve been through this exact rehab schedule before. I know what it entails and I’ve been able to bounce back and play at a high level before, and I’m comfortable with that. You just gotta put in the time and the work, and when it’s time to get back in April and go through OTAs I’ll just build on that and work towards getting ready for training camp.”
I direct you to read the third sentence of that quote again. He says “I’ve been through this exact rehab schedule before…” That is the problem the Bears have with having Miller as their top tight end — he cannot stay healthy.
Miller is a five-year veteran, but he’s never played in every game in a season. He came close, playing in 15 games in 2010 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and again in 2015 with the Bears. Notice the period between those two seasons. He also spent 2012-2014 out of the league before getting healthy and signing with the Bears.
Next: Full seven-round Bears mock draft
I have no doubt that Miller returns, and that he even plays well. My doubt is that he stays healthy enough to stay on the field and help the Chicago Bears win games. The team needs to be prepared, or they will again be without the big target they severely needed this season.