The Alshon Jeffery mystery has entered its third week with the Bears wide receiver missing yet another full week of practice because of a left calf injury.

Jeffery did not attend Tuesday’s practice at Halas Hall, the team’s final full practice before Week 1 preparation begins next week. Jeffery was also not present at Monday’s practice after being left home from the team’s weekend trip to Cincinnati.

Beyond that, details on the fourth-year receiver’s health and whereabouts have been hard to come by. Bears coach John Fox was terse and vague when pressed on both matters after Tuesday’s practice.

Fox asserted that Jeffery has indeed been present at Halas Hall this week, but still left the “day-to-day” label on the receiver’s status even though Jeffery hasn’t completed a practice since Aug. 11.

Fox was also asked Tuesday why Jeffery’s recovery was not materializing more quickly.

“He’s injured,” the coach said.

Fellow receivers Eddie Royal, hip, and Marquess Wilson, hamstring, also missed Tuesday’s practice. But both players did some light work off to the side and were sideline spectators during the team portions of practice.

Now, any outside worry or speculation about Jeffery’s status and availability for the regular season would seem justified. Rookie Kevin White was listed as “day to day” when the Bears reported to training camp but eventually wound up needing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his shin, a procedure that will likely keep the team’s top draft pick out the entire season. Safety Ryan Mundy surfaced on the injury report with a hip injury Aug. 18, then was ultimately placed on season-ending injured reserve on Sunday.

Jeffery’s ailment may not be so severe. But until he’s back on the practice field, the Bears are leaving things open to interpretation. Jeffery was moving around training camp in a walking boot and crutches as late as Aug. 15.

Fox was asked whether Jeffery’s chances of playing in the Sept. 13 season opener against the Packers were diminishing because of the time he has missed and any setback in conditioning that the receiver’s injury may cause.

“As I’ve mentioned a lot of times, I’d prefer they’re out here,” Fox said. “But until they’re cleared medically, I don’t have them. So again, I can’t predict what’s going to happen going forward other than day to day. So we’ll assess it and the plan is hopefully we get everybody ready for Green Bay. … It’s not like he’s sitting there eating bonbons. So he’s conditioning.”

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