BOURBONNAIS — Wide receiver Anthony Miller missed Sunday’s practice with a sprained ankle he suffered leaping to make a catch in a one-on-one passing drill against cornerback Kyle Fuller. As cautious as the Bears have been with injuries, Miller could sit for awhile. But coach Matt Nagy said he did not think the Sept. 5 season-opener against the Packers was in jeopardy.
“I don’t think so,” Nagy said. “I feel pretty good about what happened and when you look at it … we got pretty fortunate.”
Linebacker Aaron Lynch (shoulder) and cornerback Kevin Tolliver (undisclosed) did not practice. Tight ends Trey Burton (sports hernia surgery) and Adam Shaheen (back) were limited.
Darryl Drake (1956-2019)
The Bears family was shaken by the death of former wide receivers coach Darryl Drake, who died suddenly Sunday morning at 62 in Latrobe, Pa., where he was a wide receivers coach with the Steelers.
Steelers president Art Rooney II confirmed Drake’s death in a statement. No cause of death was revealed.
Engaging, affable and often emotional when it came to defending his players, Drake was a popular assistant under Lovie Smith in 2004-12. Bernard Berrian, Earl Bennett, Johnny Knox and Devin Hester were among the players who blossomed into productive receivers under his tutelage. Brandon Marshall, a six-time Pro Bowl receiver, had a career-high 1,508 receiving yards — and was on his best behavior — in 2012 with Drake as his position coach.
But Drake’s effusive personality touched everybody on the team. Former Bears cornerback Charles Tillman and former defensive end Phillip Daniels were among those expressing condolences and grief at the news.
“I am at a loss for words during the sorrowful time,” Tillman said in a tweet. “Darryl Drake was a great man who loved the game of football but more importantly he was a great father and husband. My heart hurts knowing he is no longer with us. I will always cherish the good times and the many laughs we had.”
Bunting’s wild ride
Undrafted free agent tight end Ian Bunting, the former Hinsdale Central star, had an interesting NFL debut against the Panthers on Thursday night. Bunting had three receptions for 77 yards, including a 45-yard catch that set up a field goal in the final minute of the first half. He also fumbled and was called for a false start and holding.
“It was fun,” Bunting said. “It’s such a blessing, such an awesome opportunity to do this in front of my family and friends and the Chicago fans. My feeling is I have a lot to work on. But I showed a couple of good things and there’s some little things I think I can clean up.”
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