Bears WR Velus Jones (hamstring) is doubtful for Sunday night’s game vs. the Packers. He was limited in Wednesday’s practice but sidelined on Thursday and Friday, so it looks like the rookie suffered a setback. Darnell Mooney, Equanimeous St. Brown and Dante Pettis operated as Chicago’s top 3 WRs in the opener.
The rain was no joke in Chicago on Sunday, helping produce sub-50% completion rates for both the Bears and 49ers. QB Justin Fields attempted just 17 passes for the game, completing 8 for 121 yards and 2 TDs. Unfortunately for anyone who started WR Darnell Mooney or TE Cole Kmet, those scores went to WRs Dante Pettis and Equanimous St. Brown. RB David Montgomery led the team with 4 targets. Mooney tied for 2nd with just 3 looks, catching 1 for 8 yards. Kmet garnered just 1 target, which fell incomplete. Each guy did, at least, easily lead his position in Week 1 playing time. We're not altering our fantasy football outlooks for Mooney or Kmet based on the opener.
Chicago has been hit with heavy rains this morning. It looks like the worst of it will be gone by kickoff of 49ers-Bears, but there will be lingering showers -- and a wet field. The forecast also calls for 15-20 mph winds. Less than ideal scoring conditions, although this looked like a low-scoring game anyways. Expect lots of running from both teams.
The Bears' WR depth chart is "clear," according to The Athletic's Adam Jahns. "It’s [Darnell] Mooney followed by Byron Pringle ... Equanimeous St. Brown and Velus Jones Jr.," Jahns writes. Mooney remains the only WR in Chicago likely to have 2022 fantasy value. Pringle and Jones are only worth shots late in fantasy drafts of 18+ rounds.
Conditioning has been an offseason “point of emphasis” for Bears WR Darnell Mooney, per Dan Pompei of The Athletic. Mooney ranked 6th among WRs in snaps in 2021. “Last year, I think I struggled with just being there at all times when my number was called,” Mooney said. “I knew I was fatigued a little bit, but my mindset was not coming out of the game.” Mooney also gained about 10 pounds this offseason after playing the past 2 years in the low 170s. “Even though he’s a smaller guy, he’s not that guy that runs out of bounds like a lot of smaller receivers,” WR coach Tyke Tolbert said. “He’ll try to stick his foot in the ground, get upfield and make plays with the ball in his hand, try to break tackles. He’s not trying to save his body. He’s trying to get extra yardage.” With massive target potential, Mooney could inch up the WR2 ranks in 2022.
Adam Jahns of The Athletic believes WR Velus Jones “should have an immediate role on offense.” Frankly, it would be a major disappointment if he didn’t. The Bears feature a bunch of WR3/4 types behind Darnell Mooney, while Jones exits college as a 25-year-old. So yes, the opportunity outlook is nice. And Jones boasts rare, 4.31 speed. But his pedigree is uninspiring, with just 58-627-4 across 4 seasons before a 2021 breakout (62-807-7). He's not someone we're chasing in rookie drafts.
Beat writer Adam Jahns considers WR to be the Bears’ “top priority” in free agency. It’s hard to argue that one. Darnell Mooney took a step forward this past year, locking him into a starting spot going forward. Allen Robinson will play elsewhere next year, though. And the team currently lacks quality WR talent. Michael Gallup, Mike Williams and D.J. Chark supply a few intriguing options, but we'll see who makes it to the open market. Bank on Chicago adding a WR or 2 in the draft — just note that they’re without a 1st rounder following last year’s trade up for Justin Fields. As of now, the Bears won’t be on the clock until the 7th pick of Round 2.
The Bears fired HC Matt Nagy. This move has been anticipated for weeks now. Nagy went 12-4 in his first season at the helm but totaled only 22 wins over the past 3 seasons. He also didn't seem to maximize QB Justin Fields' skill set this year. Chicago's next HC hire will be key for Fields' development.
Update: Chicago also fired GM Ryan Pace.
Bears WR Allen Robinson has been activated from the COVID list. He figures to siphon a few targets from WR Darnell Mooney and TE Cole Kmet this weekend, but A-Rob isn't a fantasy option vs. the Giants.
Bears HC Matt Nagy said Friday that QB Nick Foles will start Sunday's game vs. the Seahawks. QB Andy Dalton (left hand, groin) is out for Week 16, while QB Justin Fields (ankle) was unable to practice on Thursday or Friday. Nagy said that Fields might be active on Sunday, but it'd be as Foles' backup. Foles made 7 starts for the Bears last season, averaging 238 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT on a 66% completion rate and 5.9 yards per attempt.
Bears WR Allen Robinson has been placed on the COVID list. He'll likely miss Monday night's game vs. the Vikings. Robinson, of course, has been a major disappointment this season and shouldn't have been in your Week 15 fantasy plans. His absence is a slight upgrade for WR Darnell Mooney and TE Cole Kmet.
Bears WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) is doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals. WR Marquise Goodwin (foot) has been ruled out, leaving Damiere Byrd, Jakeem Grant and Isaiah Coulter behind Darnell Mooney. Mooney has racked up 24 targets over the past 2 weeks and is a strong volume bet again on Sunday.
Bears WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice. He hasn't hit the practice field since Chicago came out of the Week 10 bye. WR Darnell Mooney will continue to dominate targets if Robinson misses Sunday's game vs. the Cardinals.
Bears WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) is inactive for today's game vs. the Lions. Darnell Mooney, Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd will operate as Chicago's top 3 WRs.
The Bears list WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) as doubtful for Thursday's game vs. the Lions. He didn't practice all week and won't play tomorrow. That leaves Darnell Mooney as Chicago's #1 WR and a nice fantasy starter. Marquise Goodwin will be the #2 WR and is in play for DFS tournaments.
Bears WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) remained sidelined on Tuesday. He's looking unlikely to play vs. the Lions on Thanksgiving, leaving Darnell Mooney and Marquise Goodwin as Chicago's top 2 WRs.
Bears WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) is inactive for today’s game against the Ravens. Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd figure to serve as Chicago’s #2 and #3 WRs but aren’t fantasy options. WR Darnell Mooney and TE Cole Kmet should pick up extra targets with Robinson out.
Bears WR Allen Robinson (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Ravens after missing practice all week. He obviously needs to be on fantasy benches. Robinson's absence will make a thin Chicago pass-catching corps even thinner. WR Darnell Mooney and TE Cole Kmet should pick up extra targets.
Bears WR Darnell Mooney (groin) is questionable for Monday night's game against the Steelers. Mooney popped up on the injury report Friday, participating on a limited basis the final 2 days. We'll see about his status Monday evening. Mooney won't be worth waiting for in most fantasy football lineups.
Bears HC Matt Nagy tested positive for COVID. We'll see if he can get cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the 49ers. OC Bill Lazor has been calling plays for Chicago the past few weeks, so there's not much of a fantasy impact here.
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