Bears’ WR Keenan Allen Limited At Practice Ahead of Week 1

Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen was limited during Wednesday’s practice due to a heel injury. Allen landed on the Bears’ initial injury report of the season ahead of the team’s Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.

After Wednesday’s practice, Allen told the media that his injury is “day to day.”

Allen previously returned to practice on Sept. 2 after missing some practices, but was limited Wednesday. General manager Ryan Poles said last week that Allen was dealing with a cleat issue and some “discomfort” in his foot.

Bears offensive lineman Kiran Amenadije (quad), offensive lineman Ryan Bates (shoulder), running back Roschon Johnson (toe), defensive lineman Zacch Pickens (groin), and defensive lineman Montez Sweat (toe) were also limited during Wednesday’s practice, according to the team’s injury report. No Bears player was fully unable to practice.

Allen, 32, joined the Bears this offseason after he was shockingly traded to Chicago from the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for a fourth-round pick. Allen previously spent his entire career with the Chargers, who drafted him No. 73 overall in 2013. He planned to finish his career with the Chargers, but Los Angeles traded him to save cap space.

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Allen is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he caught a career-high 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns to make his seventh Pro Bowl.

Over his career, Allen has accumulated 904 receptions for 10,530 yards and 59 touchdowns. He has recorded six different 1,000-yard seasons, with a high of 1,393 yards in 2017.

Allen is part of a talented Bears receiving core that also features wideouts D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. Moore, who is coming off a career-year in which he posted 1,364 yards, is projected to be the top target for the Bears. Odunze, like Allen, joined the Bears this spring after Chicago drafted him No. 9 overall in the draft. Odunze led the FBS with 1,640 receiving yards at Washington in 2023.

This receiving group gives rookie No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams a strong supporting cast for his first NFL season. While top rookie quarterbacks often lack great playmakers, that statement cannot be said for Williams.

Along with a receiver trio that could challenge for the best in the NFL, Williams also can rely on running back D’Andre Swift and tight end Cole Kmet. The USC product faces high expectations heading into his rookie season, which the talent around him should help alleviate.