Bears WR Keenan Allen returns to practice, gives Bears chance to see return on investment

In a span of 24 hours in March, the Bears handed out $59.1 million to three veterans they believed would be critical in quickly getting future quarterback Caleb Williams on his feet as a rookie.

The Bears officially signed running back D’Andre Swift to a three-year, $24 million deal and tight end Gerald Everett to a two-year, $12 million contract March 13 and a day later sent a fourth-round pick to the Chargers for wide receiver Keenan Allen. The Bears agreed to pay the last year of Allen’s $23.1 million contract, including a roster bonus.

Three weeks into the season, the Bears haven’t gotten their money’s worth:

† Allen had four catches for 29 yards in Week 1 and missed the last two weeks because of a heel injury.

† Swift is averaging 1.8 yards per carry, the lowest among NFL running backs with seven or more carries.

† Everett has three catches for — wait for it — zero yards.

Allen has the best chance to change the narrative. He returned to practice Wednesday on a limited basis in his first on-field work since the season opener.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection has been dealing with a heel injury since last month. It got noticeably worse against the Titans, forcing the Bears to shut him down for two weeks. He worked out with the Bears’ rehab group over the weekend with hopes of playing Sunday against the Rams.

“We hope it’s something that is gonna get better and stay better,” coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday.

The Bears need him. Eberflus praised the variety of targets the Bears have used this season — 10 — but Allen’s star power is sorely needed.

“He’s another weapon that we have available to us on the offense with a unique set of skills,” Eberflus said. “We’ve all seen him play. So we’re excited if that comes about, that he comes back.”

Wright out

Darnell Wright, the 10th overall pick of the 2023 draft, missed practice because of a back injury, throwing a wrench into what might have been the most dependable part of a shaky offensive line. Eberflus said the Bears were “hopeful he’ll work through it” in time for the home game against the Rams.

If Wright can’t play, the Bears are likely to turn to guard Matt Pryor — who played most of the game against the Colts in place of right guard Nate Davis — at right tackle. Davis, who has a groin injury but has battled bouts of ineffectiveness, would start at guard.

Davis was limited in practice, as was left tackle Braxton Jones, who hurt his knee in Indianapolis.

“[Pryor] was firm in the pocket,” Eberflus said. “For the most part, [he] did a nice job there.”

Pryor said it was easier to slide from right guard to right tackle than to, say, switch sides.

“As of right now, I’m at guard,” Pryor said. “I’ve trained everywhere, though, in the offseason. So if it comes down to it, I’ll be able to switch out if need be.”

A less-likely option would be putting third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie, who missed most of training camp while recovering from quad surgery in college, at right tackle. He was active Sunday for the first time but did not play.

“He’s a guy that’s super-smart in terms of the mentals, and the technique is improving every week,” Eberflus said.

This and that

Defensive end Darrell Taylor (illness), cornerback Terell Smith (hip) and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) did not practice.

† Defensive end Montez Sweat (elbow), nose tackle Andrew Billings (knee) and fullback Khari Blasingame (hand, knee) were limited.