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Chicago Bears rookie Grasu does 'phenomenal' job at center

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Playing his first NFL game as the Chicago Bears' starting center Sunday, third-round draft choice Hroniss Grasu got off to an ignominious start.

He was bull-rushed into the Bears' backfield by Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard, who then sacked quarterback Jay Cutler in the end zone and forced a fumble that K.C. recovered for a 7-0 lead just 7:47 in.

"I thought (Grasu) did a phenomenal job, especially with this being one of the toughest places to play," Cutler said. "With a rookie center going against a pretty good nose guard (6-foot-3, 346-pound Dontari Poe) and a defense that's going to bring some pressure, he did a great job.

"I just need to hang on to that ball and take the safety."

Grasu found out he would start just before the game. But the season-ending fractured fibula that former starter Will Montgomery suffered last week gave him time to practice with the first team during the week.

"I had a good feeling about it," Grasu said. "Even though I was inactive the (first four weeks), I was preparing like I was playing.

"These guys, the O-line, the whole offense accepted me. They brought me in with open arms and made me feel comfortable.

"When we're out there, there's no panic for any of us."

Matt Forte, who had game bests with 71 yards and 18 carries, said the rookie recovered well.

"Probably pregame jitters," Forte said. "He's a rookie, first time starting and not only did he have a (346)-pound nose guard on him, but it's his first time being out there.

"Once he settled down and (Matt) Slauson took him under his wing and got him calmed down and talked to him, he got back into his groove, and we started moving the ball a little better in the run game in the second half."

Growing up:

Marquess Wilson has picked up a lot of the slack left by the absence of Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who has been inactive the past three games.

The Bears also were without their other starting wide receiver, Eddie Royal, against the Chiefs.

But Wilson, a seventh-round pick in 2013 out of Washington State, had his second straight 6-catch game, getting 85 yards Sunday after he had 80 yards a week earlier.

"He has kind of grown up; he's kind of had to," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He doesn't have a choice. He has to make plays. We kind of holler at him during the week, and Saturday we have to let up on him a little bit getting ready for Sunday.

"But he's reacting. He's making plays for us and making big-time catches for us."

Wilson's 22-yard touchdown catch with 3:05 left to play got the Bears to within 17-12. Told he did a nice Alshon Jeffery imitation on his TD, Wilson didn't agree.

"I'm not going to take anything away from my guy," he said. "We're expected to make those plays. I don't think they were spectacular catches. They were just catches."

Down and out:

Bears linebacker Shea McClellin left with a knee injury in the third quarter and did not return.

Cornerback Terrance Mitchell did not return after suffering a hamstring injury, and Jacquizz Rodgers had an elbow injury that prevented him from finishing.

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles left in the third quarter with what is believed to be a serious knee injury and did not return. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said: "It probably looks more like a torn ACL than anything."

Young and helpful:

The Bears started three rookies: safeties Adrian Amos and Harold Jones-Quartey and center Hroniss Grasu. Jones-Quartey tied for second on the team with 4 solo tackles.

Rookie nose tackle Eddie Goldman also had 2 solo tackles playing in the D-line rotation.

Sitting it out:

Bears inactives Sunday were wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) and Eddie Royal (ankle), safety Antrel Rolle (ankle), offensive linemen Jermon Bushrod (concussion) and Patrick Omameh (ankle) and defensive lineman Will Sutton (elbow).

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