Dante

Pettis

That’s a pretty strong indication that they believe they’ll be in need of reinforcements for Thursday night’s game against the Broncos. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed each missed practice on Monday and we suspect we’ll see the same today. Pettis could be a quick elevation as the Saints try to give five wideouts for Spencer Rattler on Thursday.

He joins Denzel Mims in the tryout circuit as the Cowboys try to build some depth as Brandin Cooks nurses a knee injury. Pettis was with the Bears in training camp and last appeared in NFL games in 2022, catching 19 balls for 245 yards and three scores for Chicago.

Pettis suffered a back injury in training camp last year and was placed on injured reserve. He was later released with an injury settlement. When healthy in 2022, Pettis caught 19 balls for 245 yards and three scores. He also returned punts for Chicago. Despite the breakout never happening for Pettis, he appears to have carved out a role with the Bears as a special teamer and depth receiver.

As Fishbain notes in his article, Jones won’t be earning a lot of reps at wide receiver with D.J. Moore, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool looking like the top-three options. The team also values Equanimeous St. Brown’s run blocking and added rookie Tyler Scott in the fourth round of this year’s draft. Fishbain suggests Jones could be in competition with veteran Dante Pettis for the final roster spot -- assuming the Bears break camp with six receivers. Jones proved his value as a kick return last season, but it was Pettis who handled punt return duties while also showing some chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields. Jones, who the Bears selected in the third round of last year’s draft, finished the season with seven receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown, while running just 71 routes for a team already thin at receiver. Barring injuries, Jones could be in for an uphill battle to earn a roster spot this offseason. It should go without saying, but he’s also well off the fantasy radar.

Pettis left Week 17 to get checked out for a concussion. He went to the hospital with concussion symptoms but was ultimately cleared from the league’s protocols. He practiced in full every day this week. With Nathan Peterman under center, Pettis is not on the fantasy radar to close the season.

Matt Eberflus said that Pettis was dealing with blurred vision and was sent to the hospital despite clearing protocol. With a Week 18 season finale against the Vikings incoming, Pettis is probably questionable to play based on this information.

Pettis had been playing a larger role in Chicago’s offense in recent weeks, but his opportunities should dry up in Week 17. Chase Claypool is active and Equanimeous St. Brown cleared concussion protocol earlier this week. Pettis is not on the fantasy radar for the final week of the fantasy season.

Chase Claypool is also questionable. If Claypool plays, Pettis will get knocked down a peg in the target pecking order, removing him from the fantasy radar. Even if Claypool sits, Pettis would only be a desperation FLEX option.

It was a downgrade Thursday with the same designation, which does not bode well for Pettis’ chances of being active on Sunday against the Lions. Look for your desperation FLEX plays elsewhere.

Pettis ranked second on the Bears in targets and ran a route on 82 percent of the team’s dropbacks in Week 16. His strong usage plus the limited tag suggest his Wednesday session is nothing more than maintenance. He will be a desperation FLEX play in Week 17 against the Lions.