The Chicago Bears will be without one of their starting receivers Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, as Taylor Gabriel has yet to be cleared of concussion protocol.
Gabriel is coming off a three-touchdown performance against the Washington Redskins last Monday, and the Bears are definitely going to miss his production.
Which begs the question: Which receiver will step up in Gabriel’s absence?
Aside from Allen Robinson, who is Chicago’s clear-cut No. 1 wideout, there are four other receivers on the roster that could provide a spark for the offense come Sunday.
Let’s take a look at the four wideouts that can step up in Gabriel’s absence:
Anthony Miller
The Bears’ leading touchdown-scorer at receiver from a year ago, Anthony Miller has been a virtual non-factor this season. He’s been targeted just five times, and has two catches for 17 yards.
Miller’s penchant for explosive plays and ability to create separation is something that the Bears were able to utilize last season, even when QB Mitch Trubisky was overthrowing him.
With Gabriel’s absence, it only makes sense that Miller’s workload would increase, as Matt Nagy indicated it would earlier in the week. With more opportunities, Miller should have more production, especially now that’s healthy.
Javon Wims
This wouldn’t be the first time Javon Wims benefitted from a banged-up receiving corp on the Bears.
Last year as a rookie, Wims got an increased workload when receivers Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller didn’t play in the regular season finale against the Vikings, or in Miller’s case didn’t play more than a series before getting hurt.
In the Week 17 contest, Wims caught all four passes thrown his way for 32 yards. He had a couple of crucial third-down conversions that helped lead to a touchdown drive.
Wims was pegged as a player to have a breakout season for the Bears this season, but with the offense struggling out of the gate, he hasn’t gotten many opportunities.
This season, he has one reception for eight yards, which came in Week 3’s victory. He has been targeted just three times this season. Wims is someone that, if Mitch Trubisky can get him the ball, he can make plays.
Cordarrelle Patterson
When the Bears signed Cordarrelle Patterson, they were adding a versatile playmaker they could use all over the field. Whether it’s as a returner, a running back or a receiver, Patterson has that game-making ability that Chicago will need in Gabriel’s absence.
Up to this point, Patterson has been utilized more in the run game than in the pass game. He has just two receptions for nine yards and has been targeted four times. But he has seven rushes for 62 yards, including a 46-yard run against Denver.
That could change Sunday, where he could get split reps at both running back and receiver. But it seems as, for the moment, he’s been utilized more in the run game.
Riley Ridley
When the Bears drafted Riley Ridley, they were getting a receiver that was an impressive route runner with great ball skills. Not that we’ve gotten to see much of that this season, as the rookie has yet to see the field.
While Ridley has been a healthy scratch for the first three games this season, that’s likely to change on Sunday with Gabriel being out. The Bears have essentially utilized Cordarrelle Patterson more in the run game than the pass game, which means that they could find a few opportunities for Ridley in the passing game.
