The Chicago Bears are going to be limping into their final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns this coming Thursday with several key players nursing injuries. Luckily, this final match is really just a vehicle for the coaches to decide on who to keep on the 53-man roster and not a final tune up for the actual starters to perfect their game.
If this was an actual game with actual implications, the Bears would have plenty to be concerned about as several key players and contributors are currently sidelined with various ailments. Due to these non-participants and the starters overall limited playing time, this game against the Browns is going to be absolutely brutal to watch.
I’m not really looking forward to watching Jason Campbell throw incomplete slant routes to Dane Sanzenbacher all night. I assume a hefty dosage of Jameson will be necessary to make it through this one.
Now I know Brian Urlacher has been talking a big game about coming back in time to play against the Andrew Luck led Indianapolis Colts, but both he and the entire Bears organization would be foolish if they thought this was a good idea. Urlacher is an old (albeit total badass) dude. While Nick Roach hasn’t exactly been putting on a Canton-worthy preseason, there is no reason to rush Urlacher back from a knee scope.
The Bears possess the tools and talent to put a few wins under their belts before Urlacher makes an appearance. There is a lot of talk going around about bringing him back for the Thursday night game against the Green Bay Packers but I think that this is even too soon. The Bears will need Urlacher much more come November when they are making their push for the playoffs.
While the Urlacher injury is of great concern, one a lot of people are overlooking is Chris Conte and his separated shoulder. I think Conte has the goods to make a solid impact on Lovie Smith‘s sub-par, outdated Tampa-2 defense in 2012. This kid delivers the pain every time he steps on the field.
If I were Major Wright, I would be taking notes on how to properly play in the secondary and actually make a few tackles. While I am concerned about Conte’s current absence, a separated shoulder shouldn’t sideline a player that long so I expect him back by week 1. Also, if he were to miss some extended time, I believe in Craig Steltz so much I am thinking about getting T-shirts made.
The hip flexor injury to Adam Podlesh basically rounds out the major injuries to starters. Most of you know he got hurt trying to make a touchdown saving tackle against the Washington Redskins a few weeks ago. Nothing more I want out of my punter than taking one for the team and laying it all on the line. All too often I see punters laying off the chase and letting some team’s 6th string wide receiver just walk it into the end zone.
Not Podlesh though. This guy has the goods and should get some solid respect in the locker room for it. The Bears are trying out new punters though as the injury is of a concerning nature but after back up punter Ryan Quigley had a solid showing out East last weekend, the front office may be staying put with what they have.
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