Bears receiver Kevin White has fractured fibula, may need surgery

ByJEFF DICKERSON
October 5, 2016, 1:50 PM

— -- LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White?was placed on injured reserve after he suffered a severe high ankle sprain that resulted in a fractured fibula in his left leg.

The Bears have not ruled out the possibility that White will undergo surgery, but the team is currently exploring all options before making a final determination,?general manager Ryan Pace said Wednesday.

White, the seventh overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft, sat out his entire rookie season due to a stress fracture in his left shin. At the time of that injury, White had a steel rod inserted into his tibia to stabilize the left leg.

White's latest setback occurred last Sunday when he left the Bears' 17-14 victory over the Detroit Lions in the third quarter following a 1-yard completion. White limped back to the sideline and eventually went to the locker room. White was in considerable pain in the postgame locker room, and he underwent a preliminary MRI on Monday.

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate. After a slow start to the season, White played with increased confidence in recent weeks, leading the team in receptions (19). White is also third in receiving yards (187).

"I thought it was by far his best game [in Week 4]," coach John Fox said Monday." I think he was real aggressive. I think he caught some contested balls. I think after the catch I felt he was aggressive to get extra yards after the catch. I thought it was his best performance.

"I think when you're not thinking and you kind of know what you're doing, you just cut loose and play, which is ideally what you want guys to do. I think it comes with that experience."

White is eligible to return in eight weeks.