Kevin White fractured his left shoulder blade Sunday in the Bears' season-opening loss and might require surgery, coach John Fox said Monday afternoon.
White is headed to injured reserve for the third time in his three NFL seasons, a setback that amplifies heavy doubts about whether the former seventh-overall draft pick will ever contribute for the Bears.
It also creates a new shortfall for a receiving corps still trying to overcome the season-ending left knee injury Cameron Meredith suffered Aug. 27.
White was the Bears' "X" receiver, or split end, which is important to note when considering replacements for him. Markus Wheaton occasionally practiced as the X in brief stints of availability this summer surrounding his appendectomy and recovery from surgery to repair a broken left pinkie. The veteran free-agent signee could make his Bears debut Sunday against the Buccaneers.
Receiver Tre McBride was acquired off waivers Sept. 3 following the injury to Meredith, who was the "Z" receiver, or flanker. He was inactive for Sunday's game.
Tanner Gentry, who played some X and mostly Z in the preseason, is on the practice squad. Titus Davis, whom the Bears cut earlier this month, was a backup X during the preseason.
As for White, the Bears will put him on injured reserve this week to open a roster spot with the understanding that, generally, recovery from a fractured shoulder can require at least two months. By rule, White would have to spend six weeks on IR before the Bears could designate him to return. He would have to spend a total of eight weeks on IR before he could return to game action.
The four-year, $16.6 million rookie contract White signed in 2015 is fully guaranteed, so the Bears have no financial incentive to give up on him. To the contrary, general manager Ryan Pace has repeatedly expressed his belief in White throughout his various injury problems.
Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Falcons was only the fifth game of White's career. He missed his entire rookie season because of a stress fracture in his left tibia, which required surgery in August 2015. Last year, he played four games before an awkward tackle caused a spiral fracture in his left fibula and severe ankle ligament damage. He had surgery and missed the rest of the season.
He left Sunday's game after a catch for no gain in the fourth quarter. He caught Mike Glennon's pass with his back to the defense. As he turned to start upfield, Falcons cornerback Brian Poole lowered his shoulder into White's left shoulder at full speed. White kept his feet and was tackled from behind onto his right side a moment later.
In all, White has played five of the Bears' 33 games since he was drafted. His career numbers: 21 catches for 193 yards and no touchdowns.
