Bears receiver Robinson in concussion protocol

[Staley Da Bear]

Bears coach Matt Nagy revealed Wednesday that top receiver Allen Robinson II is in the NFL's concussion protocol program.


Robinson sustained the injury while making a 6-yard reception late in Monday night's 24-10 loss to the Rams. Facing quarterback Nick Foles, Robinson caught the ball and instantly absorbed a helmet-to-helmet hit from behind by safety Nick Scott that sent the receiver face-first into the turf.


It's unclear whether Robinson, who leads the Bears in receiving with 44 catches for 544 yards and two touchdowns, will be able to play Sunday when the Saints visit Soldier Field. The seventh-year pro has appeared in 36 of 39 games since signing with the Bears in 2018, missing two contests with a groin injury and one with a rib injury in 2018.


Asked about the possibility of playing without Robinson against New Orleans, Nagy said: "It's like a lot of these other teams when they lose a star player on any side of the ball—it's always going to hurt you. You look at it from the defensive perspective. There's a lot of games that we go into where these teams have got to change their game plan as to how they're going to play against him. So from our end, when we're talking about scheming, we have to make sure that we're scheming for both sides of it. We have to be prepared that he is playing. And then we've got to be prepared that he's not playing."


If Robinson is unable to suit up Sunday, receivers who could help pick up the slack will include Darnell Mooney, Anthony Miller, Javon Wims, Ted Ginn Jr. and Riley Ridley. Mooney is second among Bears wideouts with 21 receptions and 236 yards.


"That's the reason why these guys behind him work hard every single day, is that if they ever get that chance, that's going to be their time to shine," Nagy said. "I've always been a believer [that] injuries are a part of the game. That's what happens. You can't complain about it. We talk about complaints kill culture. You can't do that. You can't complain. You've got to get the next guy up. You've got to get 'em prepared and he's got to go play and we've got to coach. It is what it is. We'll be ready to go either way."


Robinson is one of only four NFL receivers with at least 44 receptions, 544 yards and two TDs. The others are the Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins (57-704-3), the Cowboys' Amari Cooper (53-583-2) and the Bills' Stefon Diggs (48-603-3).