Harris, Vasher, Briggs in doubt
September 25, 2007
BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com
Fred Miller's right knee was wrapped in the locker room, and Adam Archuleta was wearing a brace on his right wrist.
They didn't even rate a mention from Lovie Smith when he went over the long list of banged up players for the Bears, who could truly benefit from a bye this week but will have to wait until the first week of November.
Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (left knee), linebacker Lance Briggs (groin) and cornerback Nathan Vasher (groin) are all in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game at Detroit after they were knocked out of Sunday's loss to Dallas. None of the injuries is considered to be season-ending, but all could be out a few weeks.
Losing just one of them will limit a unit that already is without tackle Dusty Dvoracek and safety Mike Brown. Ruben Brown has a sprained left ankle and defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (right hip pointer) and cornerback Charles Tillman, who had his right ankle re-wrapped during the game, also are banged up.
Smith essentially called on the offense to step up now that the defensive side of the ball is hurting.
''We've talked about the depth that we have on defense,'' defensive end Alex Brown said. ''It's just going to have to show. It's just being put to the test right now.''