Updated look at Bears wide receiver depth after N’Keal Harry’s surgery

Bears wide receiver N’Keal Harry is undergoing tightrope surgery on Thursday after suffering a high-ankle sprain on Aug. 6, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The timetable for his return is eight weeks, which isn’t as significant as it could’ve been in the grand scheme of things. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney told reporters Wednesday that Harry was in good spirits after getting the news.

With the NFL’s new rules involving IR — where a player must miss at least four games — Harry could return as early as Week 5 against the Vikings. That’s in line with the eight-week timetable for his return.

Other wideouts dealing with non-significant injuries include Byron Pringle, rookie Velus Jones Jr. and Dante Pettis. David Moore suffered what appears to be a. significant leg injury on Tuesday, but we don’t know the extent yet. Still, it’s safe to say that Chicago’s receiver depth took a brutal blow.

Following Harry’s injury, here’s a look at the Bears’ wide receiver depth:

Darnell Mooney

Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Darnell Mooney is Chicago’s top wide receiver heading into 2022. Mooney is coming off his first 1,000-yard receiving season, where he cemented himself as a playmaker for the Bears. Things are looking up for Mooney entering Year 3, where he’ll look to build on his chemistry with quarterback Justin Fields and continue to grow as a downfield threat.

Byron Pringle

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Byron Pringle projects to be a starting wideout for the Bears this season. Pringle was buried on the depth chart in Kansas City, and he has the chance to establish himself as a playmaker in Chicago. Poles knows what Pringle brings to the table from their time with the Chiefs, and Pringle is a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Bears. Right now, Pringle is dealing with a quad injury that makes him more than day-to-day. But his injury isn’t expected to impact him heading into the regular season.

Velus Jones Jr.

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Velus Jones Jr. is expected to play a significant role as a rookie. Jones isn’t the most polished receiver, but he’s an absolute speedster (just look at his 4.31 40-yard time). Not to mention, Jones is one of the best run-and-catch receivers in this year’s draft class. Jones is on the older side as a rookie (he’ll be 25 years old when the season starts), but he’s got the…