Bears WR Keenan Allen still out with heel injury

Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen, who missed the game last week against the Texans with a heel injury, did not practice again Wednesday, putting his status in doubt for the game against the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Allen, 32, who was leading the NFL in receptions (108) and was second in receiving yards (1,243) with the Chargers last season before missing the last four games with a heel issue, initially suffered the injury late in training camp.

He played in the opener against the Titans despite being questionable after having limited practice reps but caught only four passes for 29 yards on 11 targets. It was his lowest production in a full game since 2019, and his lowest production in his 12-year career with 10 or more targets.

He’s officially day-to-day.

“We’re obviously wanting him to come back as fast as possible, but it’s got to be right for him,” coach Matt Eberflus said.

Allen has missed 12 games in the last three seasons after missing only two in the previous five seasons.

Injury report

Besides Allen, left guard Teven Jenkins (deep thigh bruise), fullback Khari Blasingame (hand, knee) and defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (groin) also did not practice.

Six players were limited: defensive ends Montez Sweat (elbow) and DeMarcus Walker (foot), defensive tackle Andrew Billings (groin), wide receiver Rome Odunze (knee), guard Nate Davis (groin) and offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (quad).

Rookie lessons learned

Caleb Williams, who was sacked seven times against the Texans, didn’t shy away from pinpointing issues the Bears are having with protection — communication and adjusting.

“There needs to be better [communication] between the coaches, the offensive line and myself,” Williams said, “making sure we’re on the same page and making adjustments when we need to.

“You obviously have adjustments that you work on in practice throughout the week, but the other team’s job is to try to confuse you and throw different things at you with looks. Being able to adjust quickly — that’s the most important thing. It starts with communication.”

Bull’s-eye

Some scarred Bears fans might have shuddered when Cairo Santos’ 53-yard field goal hit the camera attached to the crossbar Sunday night. The ball still went through, but regardless, if it hits the camera, it’s good.

“I actually didn’t hit the ball that clean,” Santos said. “But as soon as it came off my foot and I saw it was straight, I knew the distance was likely gonna be good. I definitely had four or five more yards than I should have gotten on that ball.

“At first, it [looked like] it hit the crossbar, but I could tell it hit the camera. I knew if it hit the camera it was good, doesn’t matter where it bounces after that.”

Remember him?

A year ago, running back Roschon Johnson, a fourth-round pick from Texas, was a player the Bears couldn’t wait to see. But after suffering a toe injury in training camp, he was inactive against the Titans and was in on only 15 plays on special teams against the Texans.

He said he’s fully recovered from the injury and ready for his next opportunity.

“I feel pretty good; I’m getting back to it,” Johnson said. “I control what I can — just get better every day. Whatever role the team is putting me in, just execute when I can.”

Welcome back

The Bears re-signed defensive tackle Dashaun Mallory to the practice squad. The 6-1, 275-pound Mallory, an all-state player at Bolingbrook who played at Michigan State and Arizona State, signed with the Bears as an undrafted free agent but was released from the practice squad Aug.  29.