The Chicago Bears received terrible news about second-year receiver Kevin White’s injured left leg earlier in the week when an MRI revealed a spiral fracture to the former first-round pick’s fibula. He was immediately placed on injured reserve and could end up missing the remainder of the 2016 season.

White’s status as one of the Bears’ projected young stars made his injury all the more painful. Add in the fact that Chicago has limited options outside of Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal in the passing game and it was expected that the impact on the field would be equally painful.

Not so fast, my friend.

Fellow second-year receiver Cameron Meredith was given an increased role in Week 5’s loss to the Colts and he delivered in a big way. In fact, Meredith’s nine catches for 130 yards and a touchdown is a better single-game performance than any recorded by White.

Meredith looked polished in his route-running and showed reliable hands when he was targeted. But for his costly fumble late in the fourth quarter, his performance would have been just about perfect.

At 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds, Meredith has the kind of physical makeup needed to dominate smaller NFL cornerbacks. His performance was encouraging and should lead to a starting role for the remainder of the season while White recovers.

If Meredith can build on his Week 5 game with more strong performances in 2016, White will have to earn his a starting job back if and when he returns to full health.