Dec. 08--The Chicago Bears brought in six wide receivers for a look at Halas Hall on Tuesday, likely with an eye toward potential moves for 2016.
Former Chargers wide receiver Danario Alexander headlined a list of players brought in. Serious injuries to both knees have prevented him from playing since 2012 but he is hoping to make a comeback. Alexander caught 37 passes for 658 yards (17.8 average) and seven touchdowns for San Diego in 2012 before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee before the 2013 season began. He had multiple surgeries on his left knee prior to that. Alexander played for the Rams in 2010 and 2011 and the 6-foot-5, 217-pounder has appeared in 28 NFL games with 83 receptions for 1,395 yards and 10 touchdowns. Whether or not Alexander is capable of making a comeback after such a long period off remains to be seen.
The other wide receivers to work out were Isaac Blakeney, Miles Gooch, Jeremy Kelley and J.J. Worton. Former Northwestern wide receiver Kyle Prater made a visit to the Bears.
Blakeney (6-6, 225) is an undrafted free agent from Duke who has spent time with the Redskins, most recently in October, and the 49ers. Gooch (6-3, 212) is an undrafted rookie free agent from Virginia. The Bears originally brought Kelley (6-6, 231) in during August and he has also spent time with the Broncos. Worton (6-1, 210) is an undrafted rookie free agent from Central Florida.
Prater, who played at Proviso West, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Saints in the offseason and was released in August. A high school All-American, he also spent time at USC. The Bears did not pass Prater on a physical for the tryout because of a broken foot he suffered working out in early September, so he did not participate. Prater is believed to be close to being ready.
The workout also included former Oklahoma fullback Trey Millard, who was a seventh-round pick of the 49ers in 2014 and was released at final cuts this past summer. The Bears have not carried a fullback on the roster this season.
Quarterbacks Matt Blanchard and Zac Dysert took part in the workout. Blanchard, who has been with the Bears previously, was signed to the practice squad. Dysert was briefly with the Bears at the end of preseason.
bmbiggs@tribpub.com
