How Byron Pringle worked to build chemistry with Justin Fields while out – newsdubai

LAKE FOREST – Coming into training camp, the Bears figured Byron Pringle would take over the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Darnell Mooney and become a reliable target for quarterback Justin Fields.

But Pringle injured his quadriceps during an individual drill in training camp and missed most of a month, including all three preseason games.

Pringle and Fields lost the critical time on the grass needed to build a rapport the second-year quarterback can rely on. But the veteran wide receiver did everything in his power to make sure he kept up with the growth of the Bears’ offense while sidelined.

“Since I’ve been out, I’ve been trying to just listen to coaching points, the communication on the field, like they’re giving it to the other guys,” Pringle said Monday. “Just knowing that I’m not trying to be a step behind when I get back on the field, so I’ve been paying attention in the meeting room and listening to everything that Coach Getsy has been coaching and pointing out that Justin has been saying to the guys. “

Pringle returned to practice in a limited capacity Monday along with wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. and center Lucas Patrick.

Despite missing close to the last month, the 28-year-old sees an advantage in his time away from the pitch.

“It was actually a big help that I was out,” Pringle said. “I was able to study more before I get into the field. As far as not knowing what to do, I feel like I’m good.”

While he has become more studious while down, Pringle knows he and Fields will have to work overtime to make sure their timing is dialed in on Sunday.

“We just have to get going after practice,” Pringle said. “Even like certain routes you can convert. Some routes you can’t. Some I might hook in the window, like in the zone, and some he might want me to continue. We’ve just got to keep talking about it, keep communicating about it.”

When Pringle went down, he battled Equanimeous St. Brown, Tajae Sharpe, Dante Pettis and Jones to be first in the pecking order behind Mooney.

Sharpe is now out for the year with a rib injury, while Jones has missed nearly two weeks.

That left the Bears with just three healthy receivers who earned an NFL pass last season. These three receivers – Mooney, St. Brown and Pettis – are expected to be the Bears’ top three receivers when they take the field Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.

Pringle is not sure if he will be able to play Sunday or if his return will have to wait until Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers. That’s a decision the coaching staff will make based on Wednesday and Thursday’s practice.

But Pringle believes he will be able to make an impact on Sunday if the staff gives him the go-ahead.

He’s also confident this Bears team has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the NFL’s best.

“We have the grit, the hunger, the finishing,” Pringle said. “That’s the biggest thing about being a championship or a playoff team, finishing games.”

Grit, hunger and fight will be of the essence Sunday when the 49ers come to Soldier Field.

Fields will need all the weapons at his disposal to combat a fast, aggressive defense led by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner. Pringle’s speed is the type of weapon that can change a game in one game.

That’s something the Bears will miss a lot if he’s unable to go Sunday in the season opener.

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