ESPN Chicago expects Earl Bennett's role to increase as the season continues. Jay Cutler is clearly most comfortable when throwing to his old college buddy. In his first game back from a chest injury, Bennett was the first read on most third-down plays and came through by snagging all five of his targets. However, owners should keep expectations in check. Bennett is not a true play-maker after the catch and is really just a middling slot receiver. In 14 games with Cutler a year ago, Bennett compiled just 46 catches for 561 yards and three touchdowns.

Bears WR Earl Bennett (chest) returned to action in the Bears' Week 10 win over the Eagles, and posted 95 yards on five catches with a touchdown. He did not miss a target, and Jay Cutler made an effort to get him the ball each time the slot receiver was in the game. We don't like banking on any member of the Bears receiving corps, but if we had to pick one it would be Bennett. He should be owned in most PPR formats, but realize the upside is minimal.

Bears WR Earl Bennett (chest) has been cleared to play Monday night against the Eagles. Bennett will be welcomed back by Jay Cutler as a safety valve on third downs. He's worth monitoring in PPR formats, but his fantasy upside is low as the Bears' slot receiver. Dane Sanzenbacher will likely see a marked decrease in snaps going forward.

According to the Chicago Tribune's Vaughn McClure, Earl Bennett (chest) will not play in Week 7. Bennett turned in a full practice again on Thursday, but the Bears don't want to rush him back into game action. A Week 8 bye will ensure that he's back to 100 percent against the Eagles in Week 9.

Although Earl Bennett (chest) is practicing fully this week, the Bears are still thinking about holding him out until after the bye as a precaution. The Bears play at Tampa Sunday before heading into the Week 8 bye. Bennett hasn't played since sustaining the chest injury in Week 2. Dane Sanzenbacher will stay in the slot if Bennett is held out.

Bears WR Earl Bennett (chest) returned to practice fully on Wednesday. Bennett is likely to play this week, bringing to an end Dane Sanzenbacher's stint as the Bears' slot receiver. Neither is worth owning in fantasy leagues.

Bears WR Earl Bennett (chest) is inactive for Sunday's Week 6 game against the Vikings. He was a surprise participant in practice this week, but was never really a threat to play. All indications are that he will get his slot job back from Dane Sanzenbacher when he's healthy, and like his colleagues in the receiving corps he should be avoided in most cases.

Earl Bennett (chest) returned to Bears practice Thursday. Good news, but the Chicago Tribune reports Bennett likely remains "more than a week away from returning." Despite his surprise return to practice, Bennett is still far from a guarantee to get back on the field before Chicago's Week 8 bye. Dane Sanzenbacher will again take his place in the slot this weekend.

Bears GM Jerry Angelo lamented the loss of Earl Bennett (chest) as a major blow to the passing game. The fact that the Bears are praying for Bennett's return is an indictment of their brutal receiving corps. It also suggests that the veteran will quickly get his slot job back from Dane Sanzenbacher once healthy. "I would have felt better if we would have been able to keep Earl in the mix," Angelo said. "Earl established himself with Jay [Cutler]." Bennett isn't expected back for a few more weeks.

Bears GM Jerry Angelo said Monday that WR Earl Bennett (chest) will likely be out a few more weeks. He had just three catches for 20 yards before getting hurt, and can be left on the wire in all formats. Keep an eye on replacement Dane Sanzenbacher tonight, as a good performance could make him an option in deeper PPR formats.