Dec. 18--Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery returned to practice Friday, back on course to play against the Vikings after an illness sidelined him Thursday.
Sunday's game is one of three more chances for Jeffery to make a strong impression on first-year general manager Ryan Pace. Jeffery's contract expires after the season, and the data he has offered the new regime to this point is an inconsistent mix of on-field production and leg muscle injuries. He was limited Friday by a calf injury.
Punctuating the season with an exclamation mark could go a long way toward convincing the front office that Jeffery is worth a significant long-term investment.
For his part, though, the Bears' No. 1 receiver isn't thinking along those lines.
"If we go 3-0, that's my main goal," Jeffery said Friday. "That's the team goal."
Consistency is a theme coach John Fox has preached while establishing his program. On the whole, it has eluded the team during a 5-8 campaign.
Jeffery is lumped into that. He has 797 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 53 catches but has missed five games because of injury.
"The secret to this league is being consistent," Fox said. "That's really the exercise for everybody, and that's been something we've been a little short on. So hopefully we can develop some consistency in our play over the last three games."
The Vikings are an auspicious matchup for Jeffery. He has 36 catches for 545 yards and four touchdowns in his last five games against them, including 10 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 23-20 loss Nov. 1.
He has caught several highlight-reel touchdowns on contested throws against the Vikings, including a 21-yard score by outjumping cornerback Xavier Rhodes in the first meeting.
"Just playing football," Jeffery said with a smile.
