Bears 1st-rounder Kevin White to undergo shin surgery, could miss 2015 season

Chicago Bears first-round pick Kevin White suffered a setback in his recovery from a shin injury last week, and will now undergo surgery to stabilize a stress fracture in the area, general manager Ryan Pace announced Saturday.

White will start the year on the PUP list, which requires him to sit out at least the first six regular-season games. It's possible the rookie receiver will be forced to miss the 2015 campaign entirely, Pace added.

"I want to come back as soon as possible," White said, according to Zach Zaidman of the Bears Radio Network. "If it's this season, then great. If it's next season then just have to wait."

The Bears selected the dynamic receiver seventh overall in this year's draft, hoping he'd step into a starting role opposite Alshon Jeffery following the offseason trade of Brandon Marshall.

It's possible White could return and contribute at some point after the first six weeks of the year, but Pace not being able to rule out a season-long absence suggests White may face a lengthy rehab process following the procedure.

White put himself in the conversation as the top receiver available during his final season at West Virginia, hauling in 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He's the second top-10 pick from the 2015 draft to sustain a significant injury before his rookie year could get underway, as Jacksonville Jaguars pass-rusher Dante Fowler will be sidelined for the season after suffering a torn ACL in his first minicamp practice.