Kevin White could be lost for the season — again: report

Bears receiver Kevin White is hurt. Again. And it may be season-ending. Again. As if the 25-year-old’s career needed another derailment.

White left Sunday’s game with a little more than nine minutes remaining, injured after catching a pass from Mike Glennon for no gain. White was tackled on the play by 250-pound rookie defensive end Takk McKinley and immediately left the game to be evaluated. He didn’t return, unavailable for the Bears’ final drive, a march that took them within 5 yards of an attention-grabbing upset. But four incompletions from the Falcons’ 5 left the Bears with a 23-17 loss.

An ESPN report Sunday evening indicated that the Bears feared White had broken his collarbone and could be lost for the season. Again.

In his third NFL season after being drafted No. 7 in 2015, White has played in only five games and finished just three. He had two catches for 6 yards before departing Sunday.

An extended absence would be another setback for a receiving corps already forced to play the entire season without Cam Meredith (torn ACL). Markus Wheaton also was inactive Sunday with a broken pinkie.

The Bears had only three healthy receivers to finish Sunday’s loss — Kendall Wright, Josh Bellamy and Deonte Thompson.

Just run, baby: Early last week, Bears coach John Fox promised a run-oriented offense. The team’s first touchdown drive of the season was proof of just how run-oriented the Bears may aim to be. Seven plays, 75 yards. Without a single completed pass.

And that first TD? A Wildcat play with running back Tarik Cohen taking a direct snap and handing to Jordan Howard for a 4-yard score. Quarterback Mike Glennon was split wide right on the play and had to deliver a block on safety Keanu Neal to get Howard into the end zone.

The Bears turned 19 rushes into 125 yards Sunday, an impressive 6.6-yard average.

Pay day: A day after signing a four-year contract extension that guarantees him $30 million, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks delivered two sacks of Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Hicks, 27, has said since camp opened that he wants the opportunity to finish his career in Chicago.

“It’s a true blessing to be here for another four years,” Hicks said. “I’m happy this organization believes in me and wants me to continue to be a part of this team and Chicago Bear football.”

Extra points: Running back Benny Cunningham left the game in the first half with an ankle injury and didn’t return. … Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee played only four snaps and didn’t make a tackle. … Guard Kyle Long and cornerback Prince Amukamara were inactive Sunday with ankle injuries.

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