FOXBORO, Mass. -- It appears Patriots fans will be able to give N'Keal Harry a warm welcome back to New England when the Chicago Bears visit Gillette Stadium for a Week 7 clash.
The Bears announced Wednesday that Harry has been designated to return from injured reserve, meaning he will need to be activated off the list within the next 21 days. Harry and the Bears are set to travel to Foxboro for "Monday Night Football" on Oct. 24, which is 19 days from his initial designation.
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Wednesday he was not ruling Harry out of a potential Week 5 return and indicated the team likes where the wideout is at with his progression after ankle surgery.
Harry, the 2019 first-round pick who was traded by the Patriots this offseason, was placed on injured reserve after undergoing tight rope surgery on his ankle Aug. 11. It was expected the surgery would sideline Harry for eight weeks.
The Patriots traded Harry to the Bears for a seventh-round pick in July after an underwhelming tenure in New England. The former first-round pick out of Arizona State played just 33 games in three seasons, with 18 starts. He compiled 598 yards on 57 receptions, with a mere four touchdowns -- zero during his final campaign in New England -- and became a frequent punching bag for Patriots fans.
Prior to hosting the Bears, New England will welcome the Detroit Lions to Gillette Stadium on Sunday for a Week 5 contest. The Patriots are three-point home favorites against the Lions.
