Omameh latest Bear to be hit with injury bug
As if there weren't enough uncertainty along the jumbled offensive line, another injury was added to the mix when Patrick Omameh was unable to practice because of a hamstring injury.
Omameh filled in at left guard during Sunday's victory over the Raiders after starting left guard Matt Slauson was forced to take over for Will Montgomery when the center went down with a fractured fibula on the third play of the game.
A healthy Omameh would give the Bears the option of having him remain at left guard and keeping seven-year veteran Slauson at center. With Montgomery on injured reserve, the only other center on the roster is rookie Hroniss Grasu, and the Bears would prefer not to throw him into the deep end until they're sure he can do more than tread water.
“If my number gets called, I feel like I can step right in and help these guys out,” the third-round pick out of Oregon said. “But I know mistakes will happen. You just have to get better from it.”
Grasu and Slauson both snapped the ball with the first-team offense in Wednesday's practice.
Slauson did an admirable job on Sunday despite almost no practice time at center and no game experience at the position since he joined the Bears in 2013. He said after that game that he would need to know as soon as possible if he is going to remain at center, in order to get the necessary practice reps.
“He'll be prepared wherever it is he starts,” coach John Fox said after Wednesday's practice.
The Bears also had another new starter last week at left tackle, as 2014 seventh-round draft pick Charles Leno filled in for Jermon Bushrod, who isn't expected back this week from a concussion. Injury epidemic:
Thirteen players appeared on the injury report after Wednesday's practice.
Quarterback Jay Cutler (hamstring), offensive tackle Kyle Long, (back/ankle), wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), defensive linemen Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle) and Will Sutton (elbow), Shea McClellin (elbow), cornerback Alan Ball (groin) and punter Pat O'Donnell (knee) were limited.
Wide receiver Eddie Royal (ankle), offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod (concussion), guard Patrick Omameh (ankle), cornerback Sherrick McManis (hamstring) and safety Antrel Rolle (ankle) did not practice.
“Kind of a mixed bag,” coach John Fox said. “It's a combative, physical game. It's part of the game. Hopefully we're healthier by Sunday.”
Good as gold:
Robbie Gould was named NFC special teams player of the week after hitting all 3 field goal attempts against the Raiders, including the game-winner from 49 yards with 2 seconds remaining.
Gould also connected from 54 yards early in the fourth quarter and from 19 yards.
It was the 12th game-winner of Gould's career and tied for the longest game-winner of his career (vs. Seattle in NFC 2006 divisional playoffs).
Gould is 9-for-9 on field goals this season and is the seventh-most-accurate FG kicker in NFL history at 86.0 percent.
Good luck charm:
Based on his past experiences, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio predicted a World Series victory for the Cubs.
“In San Francisco, I was there (as the 49ers' defensive coordinator) for five years, and the Giants won three World Series; they had never won one before,” Fangio said. “I was in Houston when they got to their only World Series. I bring good luck to the baseball teams.”
Moving up:
Safety Demontre Hurst was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster and guard/center Ryan Seymour was added to the practice squad.
Hurst has played in 16 games with two starts, since joining the Bears last season and has 36 tackles, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble. He spent the 2013 season on the Bears' practice squad as an undrafted rookie out of Oklahoma.
The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Seymour played in 11 games with three starts at center for the Browns last season after being selected by the Seahawks in the seventh round (220th overall) of the 2013 draft out of Vanderbilt.