Wheaton (groin) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Saints, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton was given a timetable of 4-to-6 weeks when he was diagnosed with a torn groin Oct. 12. He still hasn't returned to practice, and it isn't really clear why the Bears are listing him as 'doubtful' rather than 'out'. The designation could perhaps be taken as a sign that he's on track to return for Week 10 against the Packers, following a bye in Week 9.

Wheaton was diagnosed Thursday with a groin tear and will miss 4-to-6 weeks, Adam L. Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Bears added Wheaton to the injury report Thursday after he was a limited participant in practice due to the groin issue, but after further evaluation, it was determined the wideout's injury was more serious than the team had initially believed. After missing the first two games of the season while recovering from a broken finger, Wheaton was expected to seize a meaningful role in an injury riddled Bears receiving corps upon returning to action in Week 3, but he's been a major disappointment. In three games, Wheaton has hauled in just one of his nine targets for nine yards, which could have put his snap count on the decline even if he hadn't succumbed to the groin injury. With Wheaton out of the picture for at least the next month, Tre McBride, Tanner Gentry and Josh Bellamy could all see opportunities on the outside, while top wideout Kendall Wright sticks in his customary slot role.

Wheaton was limited at Thursday's practice due to a groin injury.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton is in the midst of a subpar year, health-wise, as he underwent surgery to repair the labrum in one of his shoulders in January, had an appendectomy at the start of training camp and broke a finger in his left hand in mid-August. His current ailment isn't sidelining him for a significant stretch, but Friday's injury report will forecast his potential to play Sunday in Baltimore. Even if active,, he's managed just one catch (on nine targets) for nine yards in three appearances this season.

Wheaton caught one pass for nine yards in Monday's loss to the Vikings.

EDGE Analysis

After being targeted once over his first two games of the season, Wheaton was targeted four times with Mitchell Trubisky under center. Although he's not a fantasy factor right now, should he be able to develop some chemistry with the rookie quarterback, he could see his value rise quickly.

Wheaton was unable to convert any of this three targets into catches during Thursday's 35-14 loss to Green Bay.

EDGE Analysis

With 38 offensive snaps, Wheaton had the second most looks among Chicago's receivers on Thursday, but he's still catchless on the season. Thursday was a comedy of errors with Mike Glennon trying to dig Chicago out of a whole for much of the game. The next time Chicago takes the field, Mitch Trubisky will be under center, so look for improvements across the board in the Windy City. It remains to be seen, however, how much of an improvement Trubisky will be with shoddy line and unproven receivers and which of those receivers will develop the best chemistry with the talented rookie.

Wheaton was held without a catch in Sunday's victory over the Steelers.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton was making his season debut after missing time with a broken finger. He was only targeted twice, but with Chicago playing the majority of this contest with a lead, they relied heavily upon their rushing attack, and Mike Glennon threw just 22 passes. With the Bears in desperate need of playmakers at the wide receiver position, he easily could find himself seeing significant targets in games that the team finds themselves playing from behind, but he's hard to trust as a fantasy option right now.

Wheaton was removed from the Bears' injury report entirely Thursday, Adam Hoge of WGN Radio 720 AM Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton's full practice Wednesday was accompanied by a finger injury, but with his name off the report, he seems to be in line for his Bears debut Sunday versus the Steelers. Due to long-term absences for Cameron Meredith (knee) and Kevin White (shoulder), Wheaton will have a great opportunity to work his way up the pecking order at wide receiver. To date, Kendall Wright (shoulder) has been the go-to wideout, so Wheaton may endure some growing pains as he grows accustomed to quarterback Mike Glennon.

The Bears are hopeful Wheaton (finger) can return for Sunday's game against Pittsburgh, Larry Mayer of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

A limited practice participant all last week, Wheaton took a step forward to full participation Wednesday. The Bears still need to make sure he's entirely comfortable catching the ball just five weeks removed from finger surgery, but it seems Wheaton's at least on the right track to suit up against this former team. Given the lack of talent around him, it shouldn't take long before he emerges as one of Mike Glennon's preferred targets. The Bears hope Wheaton's speed can open up the field for Zach Miller, Kendall Wright and Tarik Cohen on shorter routes.

Wheaton (finger) is inactive Sunday for the Bears' Week 2 game against the Buccaneers, Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Heading into the week, the Bears were hopeful that Wheaton would be able to make his season debut Sunday and offer a lift to an injury riddled receiving group, but he'll need more time off in order for his broken digit to heal. On a positive note, Wheaton was able to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday through Friday, so it wouldn't be surprising if he advanced to a full practice participant by next week, which would help his case for suiting up in the Week 3 matchup with the Steelers.

Wheaton (finger) is a long shot to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.

EDGE Analysis

Wheaton was unable to play in Week 1 because of the injury, and his potential continued absence could open up more snaps for Deonte Thompson or Tre McBride, with Josh Bellamy (ankle) also questionable to play.