Chicago Bears' Scruggs hospitalized after hit
BOURBONNAIS - Greg Scruggs, making the move from defensive end to tight end for the Chicago Bears, suffered the most serious injury of training camp Thursday when he was leveled by a blindside hit from outside linebacker Sam Acho.
The 6-foot-3, 277-pound Scruggs suffered a bruised lung and has joined starting tight end Zach Miller (concussion) on the sidelines.
"He's actually in the hospital," coach John Fox said after Friday morning's practice. "But he should be dismissed today. (He's) just in there for observation."
The hit, which was unnecessary, occurred in the end zone during a goal-line segment, and Scruggs had to be helped off the field.
"I'm not going to go into exactly how it happened," Fox said when pressed for information, "but it happened."
The Bears are looking for one or more players to step up behind Miller, an accomplished pass catcher, and provide depth and blocking. Scruggs' size and physicality have made him a player to watch.
"I think Greg Scruggs has probably taken the most steps there," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "You see him (show up) as a blocker, (and) he caught a couple passes the other day.
"(He's) a big, physical guy, the kind of guy we're looking for out of the tight end group. Someone who can set the edge, can pass pro(tect) a little bit, but he still can get out and catch the ball. I've liked his approach so far in camp."
Scruggs originally was a seventh-round (232nd overall) pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2012, and he played in 14 games there before he was waived at the end of the 2015 preseason. He signed with the Bears in Week 17 and had 3 tackles, including a sack in the season finale.
Crowded house:
Former Wheaton-Warrenville South star Tony Moeaki has the most NFL experience of several tight ends - including Rob Housler, Khari Lee, Greg Scruggs and Gannon Sinclair - vying for spots on the roster.
"He's new to us, learning the offense, learning his responsibilities," coach John Fox said of Moeaki. "He's played in the league before at a high level. He just gets better every day."
Moeaki caught 47 passes for 556 yards as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs but has just 11 catches over the last three seasons.
Dwindling numbers:
It was a good thing the Bears had a scaled-back practice Friday, since they barely had enough wide receivers to field a team.
A total of five wideouts did not participate, including the presumed top four: Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), Kevin White (day off), Eddie Royal (concussion) all sat out, joining Marquess Wilson (foot fracture), who remains on the PUP list.
Deonte Thompson also did not practice, leaving Josh Bellamy, Marc Mariani, Daniel Braverman, Kieren Duncan and Darrin Peterson as the only healthy wide receivers.
Asked about White's absence, coach John Fox said: "We do that periodically. We adjust the number of reps, but that's kind of the grind of camp."
Football matters:
Coach John Fox said he'd like to have 11 Kyle Longs, and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains likes the Bears' Pro Bowl guard as well.
"He's a smart, tough guy who loves football," Loggains said. "It doesn't have to be the most important thing in your life, but it needs to be in the top three, and it definitely is with him."
Still waiting:
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee) isn't practicing yet, but he was in attendance for the first time Friday.
Tight end Ben Braunecker (foot) and linebackers Nick Kwiatkoski (knee) and Roy Robertson-Harris (ill), all rookies, remained out.
Looking ahead:
After Saturday's 12:30 p.m. Family Fest practice at Soldier Field, the Bears are off Sunday, then return to Olivet Nazarene University for practices Monday (11:15 a.m.) and Tuesday (9:35 a.m.) before breaking camp and returning to Halas Hall.
The preseason opener is Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field.
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