Former Bears player battling severe health issue

Training camp is just around the corner and the teams that haven't started yet are making all the preparations and finalizations to hit the ground running once everything kicks off next week. Part of the preparation are physicals. If players don't pass their physical, then they're held out of practice -and could be placed on […]

Evan Winter — NFL Managing Editor

Jul 22, 2023 6:56 AM EDT

Aug 14, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (84) on the field during warmups before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Soldier Field.

Training camp is just around the corner and the teams that haven't started yet are making all the preparations and finalizations to hit the ground running once everything kicks off next week.

Part of the preparation are physicals. If players don't pass their physical, then they're held out of practice -and could be placed on the PUP or NFI list- until they are cleared to play.

Unfortunately, former Chicago Bears wideout Marquis Goodwin received some rather bad news on Friday: The Cleveland Browns had to place him on the NFI list because of a blood clot issue that was discovered by team doctors.

The #Browns announced WR Marquise Goodwin, who was placed on the active/NFI list today, will miss the start of training camp due to blood clots in his legs and lungs discovered during a recent checkup.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 21, 2023

The #Browns on Friday declared non-football illness to WR Marquise Goodwin, who will miss the start of training camp due to blood clots.

Goodwin said he began experiencing discomfort in his legs and slight shortness of breath during organized team activities in the spring, and…
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) July 21, 2023

The NFI list is essentially the same as the PUP list, but with different regular season ramifications. Once cleared, the Browns can remove Goodwin from the NFI list and he can practice. He can't go back on the NFI list after he's taken off.

The Non-Football Injury or Illness list (NFI) is similar to the PUP list, but it is used for players who suffered injuries or ailments outside of NFL activities. The Non-Football Injury or Illness list (NFI) is similar to the PUP list, but it is used for players who suffered injuries or ailments outside of NFL activities. – NFL.com

There have been multiple instances of football players dealing with blood clots. Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Trey Smith dealt with them in college and more recently, New York Jets offensive lineman Max Mitchell dealt with them in 2022. Smith has made a full recovery and is a full-time starter on the Chiefs OL and Mitchell has also recovered and is expected to compete for a starting job in Jets training camp.

Goodwin played for the Bears in 2021 and appeared in 14 games with two starts. He recorded 20 receptions for 313-yards and one touchdown. The touchdown was his highlight-reel 49-yard catch from Andy Dalton that put the Bears up, 13-9, on the Baltimore Ravens before Tyler Huntley and co. drove down the field to come back and win the game, 16-13. Goodwin finished with four receptions for 104-yards and a touchdown that day.