LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland underwent shoulder surgery in late January, about three months before he was selected by Chicago at No. 10 overall in the NFL Draft. The procedure required a six-month recovery timetable.
Loveland is nearly five months into that rehabilitation process, which forced him to sit out of action during the Bears’ offseason program. While Loveland was present with the team, he was limited to light work like stretching on the field.
That six-month recovery for Loveland puts him in line to return when the Bears begin training camp in late July. That remains the goal for Loveland, who said Tuesday that he’s on track.
“Just working every day to get there,” the 21-year-old Loveland said at Halas Hall.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson expects to have a better sense of Loveland’s health status after he meets with the team’s medical staff at the conclusion of the offseason program Wednesday.
The remaining hurdle for Loveland in his recovery is regaining strength in his shoulder. In the meantime, he can run routes and catch passes.
But Loveland will be playing from behind as the Bears begin training camp later this summer.
“Any time you’re not out there, if you’re in the training room when the rest of the guys are practicing, you’re losing valuable time,” Johnson said. “Valuable time with your coaches, valuable reps with your teammates, the ability to build the trust that we’re talking about. It’s not just the coaching staff having trust in you doing the right thing over and over but also your teammates. They’ve got to be see you do it. They’ve got to know the guy right, left of them, that they’re going to do the right things and they’re going to make the plays when called upon.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.