Chicago Bears: Will we finally see Riley Ridley this week?

Will the Chicago Bears activate Riley Ridley this week?

The Chicago Bears have finally gotten to the point where we might see former 2019 fourth-round pick, Riley Ridley. After getting through the first quarter of the season relatively healthy, the injuries have stacked up significantly over the last couple of weeks, and have decimated the team’s offensive line.

The wide receivers group, however, has gone through an entirely different type of attrition. Javon Wims was suspended for two games (and subsequently upheld on appeal by the league) for punching New Orleans Saints cornerback Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Ted Ginn, the veteran brought in for his ability to take the top off the defense, was recently released after his lackluster performance as a punt returner.

Finally, Anthony Miller is now dealing with a toe injury and did not practice on Wednesday. There are still a few days before the game so his status could change, but it’s something worth monitoring going forward. If he’s not practicing by Friday, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to go on Sunday.

Even if Miller is a go, he could easily reaggravate the injury during the game, so it’ll be important the team has some depth suited up.

This should be a golden opportunity for Ridley who has been a healthy scratch all year. This follows a rookie season in which he barely saw the field on offense. It has left many Bears fans scratching their heads, especially since he was drafted in the fourth round in a year when it did not seem wide receiver was a pressing need. The implication was the Bears were high on Ridley and had big plans for him in the offense.

That, for whatever reason, has not come to fruition. Fans have speculated as to the reasons, whether it’s trouble picking up the offense, or the staff’s inability to recognize and identify talent. After all, they have continued to trot Rashaad Coward out on the offensive line, and been reluctant to make Cole Kmet a more focal part of the offense — so perhaps it is the latter.

In any event, Ridley’s route running skills were highly touted coming out of college and by all accounts, he has kept his head down and continued to work hard in practice despite not getting his chance. Well, that should all change this Sunday, but if for some reason Ridley is not active on game day, there should be plenty of questions for Matt Nagy after the game.