The Bears got a standout rookie season from guard Kyle Long and expectations are high for the 2013 first-rounder in his second season, but it will be a few days before he hits the practice field.
The team announced Wednesday that Long is suffering from a viral infection and will not practice through the weekend as a result. Assuming that all goes well with his recovery, there shouldn’t be any impact on Long’s readiness for the season or his ability to handle the duties on the right side of the line.
The same appears to be true of right tackle Jordan Mills. Mills sat out minicamp because of a foot injury, but both he and left guard Matt Slauson (shoulder surgery) have been cleared by doctors to begin practicing with their teammates.
Safety Chris Conte isn’t quite that far along, however. Conte will start camp on the PUP list after having shoulder surgery in April. He’s expected back before camp comes to a close, but fourth-round pick Brock Vereen could use any extra reps he receives to stake a claim to the free safety job that could be too much for Conte to overcome.