Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith injures thumb, out until training camp

Chicago Bears wide receiver Cameron Meredith suffered a thumb injury on Thursday. Early reports suggest that he will still be ready for training camp.

After losing Alshon Jeffery in free agency, the Chicago Bears are counting on wide receiver Cameron Meredith to make a big impact in 2017. Unfortunately, he may be fighting an injury early in the year.

On Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Meredith suffered a thumb injury. He will miss the rest of offseason activities but is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

The Bears signed Meredith as an undrafted free agent in 2015. While he did not make much of a mark as a rookie, Meredith became an important part of the offense in 2016. Filling in for injured receivers like Jeffery, Kevin White and Eddie Royal, Meredith took on a large role for the Bears last season, finishing the year with 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns.

Meredith is not the biggest, fastest or most explosive wide receiver on the roster but he showed a consistency and reliability that the Bears clearly need at the wide receiver position. Meredith has a knack for getting open and typically makes the catch when the ball is thrown his way. His upside is relatively limited, but Meredith has a good chance to become a rock-solid number two receiver for the Bears for many years.

This thumb injury is obviously less than ideal. However, if Schefter’s sources are to be believed, it should not change much. Meredith is not exactly a proven player but he looked extremely comfortable in the offense last season. As long as he is healthy for training camp, Meredith should still be able to step right in and contribute.

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The Bears’ wide receiver situation leaves plenty to be desired. They need Meredith to step up and be as good (if not better) as he was last season.