‘Priority’: Chicago Bears coach worried about rookie’s health during OTAs

Head coach Ben Johnson told the media after practice that Loveland’s health was a “priority” for the Bears.

“It’s a matter of meeting, watching the tape, walking through, particularly a guy like Colston right now that, you know, little dinged up still, and so we’re rehabbing him,” Johnson said. “And then that’s a priority for us, is getting him back healthy, because the sooner he gets healthy, then we get the full speed reps, and that’s where it really all comes together.

“So it’s more mental, and we’re going to take full opportunity the time we have with him over the next, call it six weeks, in terms of getting him up to speed with not only what the veterans know mentally, but how much can we walk through with him on the side to speed up the learning process.”

The Bears can rely on Cole Kmet until Loveland is ready

Loveland can only learn so much by taking mental reps during OTAs.

Tight end is a complex position for a rookie to learn in the NFL because he has to understand his many responsibilities as a route runner and as a blocker. Being able to complete those duties on the field against an opponent in real time cannot be replicated by taking mental reps in practice.

Fortunately, the Bears have a veteran tight end on the roster until Loveland gets up to speed this summer/fall in Cole Kmet.