Bears' Colston Loveland: Week 6 Waiver Priority List
Rotowire
Loveland (hip) missed Week 4 at Las Vegas, but hopefully he healed during Chicago's bye in Week 5 and can return in Week 6 at Washington. He's had a slow start to his career so far with 4.1 PPR points or less in his first three games before being out, but he still has the potential to be a starting Fantasy option in all leagues. In deeper leagues, you should stash Loveland on your bench for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Takes part in practice Tuesday
Rotowire
Loveland (hip) was spotted on the field during the media-access portion of Tuesday's practice session, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
After he managed just one limited practice in Week 4 prep due to a hip injury, Loveland ended up sitting out Sunday's 25-24 win over the Raiders. The rookie first-round pick appears to be trending in the right direction, however, as he took the field for an unofficial practice Tuesday during the team's Week 5 bye. With extra time to heal up, Loveland should be on track to return for the Bears' Week 6 matchup with the Commanders on Oct. 13.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Inactive Sunday
Rotowire
Loveland (hip) is listed as inactive Sunday in Las Vegas.
Loveland made an early departure from last Sunday's win against the Cowboys due to a hip injury that didn't allow him to practice until Friday, when he was limited and given a questionable designation. He began to trend in the wrong direction for Week 4 after Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Saturday afternoon that Loveland wasn't expected to be available Sunday, which now has been confirmed. Cole Kmet (groin) is poised to handle most of the TE reps Sunday, with Durham Smythe and Stephen Carlson in reserve roles. Meanwhile, Loveland's next chance to suit up is Monday, Oct. 13 at Washington following a Week 5 bye.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Not expected to play vs. Vegas
Rotowire
Loveland (hip) is not expected to play against the Raiders on Sunday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Loveland missed the first two practices of the week due to a hip injury he picked up during the Bears' Week 3 win over the Cowboys. He earned the questionable tag for Week 4 after logging a limited practice Friday, but it appears the rookie first-rounder is trending toward being in street clothes for Sunday's tilt. Cole Kmet will continue to serve in a near every-down role, but Loveland's likely absence opens the door for Durham Smythe to see extended playing time in multi-TE formations. Stephen Carlson was also elevated from the practice squad to the active roster to provide additional depth at tight end due to Loveland's anticipated absence.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Doesn't practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Loveland (hip) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.
Loveland wasn't able to return to this past Sunday's win against the Cowboys after hurting his hip in the second quarter. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Loveland was believed to have avoided a serious health concern, and that he had a chance to miss no time as a result. Nevertheless, with no practice reps to speak of to kick off Week 4 prep, Loveland likely will need to mix into drills Thursday and/or Friday to give himself a chance to suit up Sunday in Las Vegas. As for veteran TE Cole Kmet, he was limited Wednesday due to a groin injury, so the health of Chicago's top two options at the position are compromised at the moment.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Not ruled out for Week 4
Rotowire
Loveland (hip) is believed to have avoided a severe injury, and he has a chance to gain clearance in time to suit up Sunday versus the Raiders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Loveland suffered a hip injury during the second quarter of Sunday's win over the Cowboys, but it appears he has a chance to avoid missing any significant time. The rookie first-rounder flashed his downfield playmaking ability before leaving the field versus Dallas, securing one of three targets for 31 yards. If Loveland is forced to miss time or face a limited snap count, Cole Kmet will handle an expanded workload at tight end.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Involved early in NFL debut
Rotowire
Loveland caught one of two targets for eight yards in Sunday's 24-24 preseason tie against the Dolphins.
Both of Loveland's targets came on the opening drive, as the Bears made it a point of emphasis to get the rookie 10th overall pick involved early, even with starting quarterback Caleb Williams resting Sunday. Loveland is projected to split snaps with Cole Kmet in the regular season, but the former's participation Sunday puts to bed any remaining concerns about Loveland's recovery from January shoulder surgery. Chicago's next preseason game against the Bills on Sunday, Aug. 17 could present Loveland's first opportunity to catch passes from Williams in a game situation.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Impressing in 11-on-11s
Rotowire
Loveland (shoulder) took first-team reps in 11-on-11 drills Tuesday, Alyssa Barbieri of USA Today reports.
Loveland was eased into training camp during the first week of Chicago's practices, but he now appears fully recovered from January shoulder surgery, which had held him out of pre-draft workouts and spring activities. The rookie first-round pick has reportedly impressed early, including by recording a flashy third-down connection with quarterback Caleb Williams during 11-on-11 reps Tuesday. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Loveland has displayed full confidence in his shoulder's strength and durability during both blocking and pass-catching reps. Head coach Ben Johnson had high praise of Loveland's early momentum, saying "it's really encouraging when you look at a young player like that and the growth that he's going to be able to have with the more reps that he gets."
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Does 7-on-7s
Rotowire
Loveland (shoulder) did 7-on-7 drills for the first time Saturday, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
The Bears are easing their first-round pick into training camp after January shoulder surgery held him out of pre-draft workouts and spring practices. The next big step for Loveland is full-team drills, which could come within the next few days. Participation in the first week of camp is a good sign he'll have time to ramp up and compete for a role before Week 1.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: May be eased into camp
Rotowire
GM Ryan Poles said Tuesday that Loveland (shoulder) is "ready to go" for the start of training camp, but there may be a ramp-up period for the rookie tight end, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Despite undergoing surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder in January, Loveland was the first tight end off the board in this year's draft, going to the Bears 10th overall. He proceeded to miss the entire offseason program and acknowledged last week that he may not be ready once camp kicked off. The Bears seemingly will ease him in with the goal of getting him ready for Week 1. Loveland will be vying with Cole Kmet for targets from second-year signal-caller Caleb Williams to begin his NFL career.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Status uncertain for camp
Rotowire
Loveland (shoulder) said last week that his rehab is going well but he'll still need to test things during training camp, MLive.com's Aaron McMann reports.
The 10th overall pick in the 2025 Draft didn't participate in offseason practices after undergoing shoulder surgery in January. He said in June that he expected to be ready for the start of training camp, but Bears coach Ben Johnson sounded less confident about the matter. Chicago's rookies report Saturday, with veterans then joining Tuesday, so Loveland's progress some become clear at some point next week, although contact work and full-team drills may not start in earnest until the end of the month. Once healthy, Loveland will compete with returning starter Cole Kmet for playing time and targets.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: May not be full-go for camp
Rotowire
Bears coach Ben Johnson said Tuesday that he doesn't know if Loveland (shoulder) will be a full-go at the start of training camp, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.
Loveland said he should be ready, but Johnson didn't sound so sure. The 10th overall pick has been limited during Chicago's offseason program, with his recent workload including route-running on a side field. He underwent shoulder surgery in January, and while he's since resumed lifting weights and catching passes, he still needs to regain strength. Loveland said learning the Bears' playbook has been a bigger challenge than his rehab work so far.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Not ready for rookie minicamp
Rotowire
Loveland (shoulder) is not participating in on-field work at rookie minicamp Friday as he continues to rehab from surgery undergone in January, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Loveland, the 10th overall pick of April's draft, is present at rookie minicamp and building familiarity with Chicago's offensive scheme and new quarterback Caleb Williams (wrist), but the tight end's workout availability is currently limited to running and controlled lifting, per Bair. The rookie first-rounder is expected to be ready for increased participation in mandatory minicamp in early June and to be fully cleared for training camp in July. Loveland is a capable blocker at 6-foot-6, 260-pounds, but he figures to make his largest impact as a mismatch in the receiving game, though DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and rookie second-round pick Luther Burden represent plenty of competition for targets. Cole Kmet played 87 percent of snaps last season and has two years remaining on the four-year, $50 million deal he inked with Chicago in 2023, but Loveland boasts the draft capital and skillset to push for the No. 1 role before long.
... See More... See Less
Bears' Colston Loveland: Goes 10th overall to Bears
Rotowire
The Bears selected Loveland (shoulder) in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 10th overall.
Loveland becomes the first tight end off the board and the highest drafted tight end since the Falcons took Kyle Pitts fourth overall in 2021. The Michigan product is a nice fit in Chicago. He is a complete player at the position, with an ability to make plays in the passing game while also contributing in-line on blocking assignments. Loveland's stats aren't as gaudy as fellow first-round tight end prospect Tyler Warren's, but that's why context matters. Penn State made Warren the focal point of its passing attack, while Michigan did not have the passing game in place in 2024 to get much production out of Loveland, who finished his junior season with 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. Cole Kmet is still on the roster, but the Bears using the 10th overall pick on Loveland is a sign that he is going to be involved early and often. Loveland can become a reliable option up the seam for Caleb Williams, though he'll have plenty of competition for targets with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze commanding huge shares. Lastly, Loveland's shoulder injury that kept him from testing at the combine is not expected to affect his availability for training camp.
