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Desmond Clark Hurt? (1 Viewer)

This was posted 2 hours ago:

Bears Notebook

Clark injury could put Bears in tight spot

September 28, 2006

By Gene Chamberlain Staff writer

dailysouthtown.com

The Bears are still holding out hope injured tight end Desmond Clark will be available for Sunday night's game at Soldier Field.

Although Clark (foot sprain) wore a boot cast after Sunday's 19-16 win over the Minnesota Vikings, he is listed as questionable on the injury report.

"He's feeling a lot better. Hopefully, he'll be able to go a little bit later in the week," head coach Lovie Smith said.

Clark is tied for second on the team in receptions with 12, good for 193 yards. If Clark is unable to play, John Gilmore and Gabe Reid will share duties at tight end.

"If (Clark) can't go, then John and Gabe are going to have to step up and play. Obviously, it will be a loss because Des is playing great," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "He's been playing great football through the first three games in the passing game, making plays (and) also blocking."

Gilmore, normally the blocking tight end, has two catches for eight yards, both receptions going for TDs against Detroit in Week 2. Reid hasn't caught a pass this season. He was inactive for the first two games because of back spasms.

"You have to look at it as an opportunity, and I'm definitely will try my best to put everything out on the field and to do my best to help this team win, whether that's blocking, whether that's coming out of the backfield or running down and stretching the field," Reid said.

Injury update

Wide receiver Mark Bradley (ankle) and safety Chris Harris (ankle) joined Clark on the Bears' injury report as doubtful. Harris was the only one of the three to practice Wednesday.
 
Clark didn't practice yesterday. Also, below is an article from scout.com (pay article) regarding the situation. I honestly think Gilmore would be a solid 1-2 week fill in should Des be out. He already has a TD and in my opinion would equal Des Clark's red zone looks. It sure beats picking up some random TE scrub.

Gilmore and Reid May Be Needed at Tight End Premium Story

Reid caught the ball very well in the preseason

Reid caught the ball very well in the preseason

By John M. Crist

Editor in Chief

Posted Sep 27, 2006

After years of clamoring to get the tight end position more involved in the Bears passing game, Desmond Clark emerged as a legitimate weapon the first two weeks of the 2006 season. But after suffering a sprained foot last week in Minnesota, all of a sudden, a crucial element of Rex Grossman's success may not be available on Sunday. It's time for John Gilmore and Gabe Reid to step up.

Desmond Clark has always been a quality receiving tight end, but for some reason, he was not utilized in the Bears offense very much. He caught just 24 passes each of the last two seasons, so many experts felt GM Jerry Angelo would target a tight end in the 2006 NFL Draft. But he chose not to do so, and after training camp, Clark was still the starter with John Gilmore and Gabe Reid backing him up.

Little did we know, however, that this was going to be the new-and-improved Desmond Clark.

The former Demon Deacon lost 15 pounds in the offseason and was a shining star in Bourbonnais. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner seemed to be making a concerned effort to finally make the tight end a bigger part of the passing game, and Clark was looking more than capable of handling his increased role. Still, many fans were skeptical and still wanted to see this rediscovered weapon get it done in the regular season.

Clark has responded with 12 receptions for 193 yards and a touchdown through the first three games. He has done wonders in the middle of the field and appears to be getting behind linebackers down the seam with relative ease. While Muhsin Muhammad looks to be his old self again and Bernard Berrian has shown his skills as a big-play threat, much of quarterback Rex Grossman's early-season success has to be attributed to his tight end.

But after suffering a sprained foot in the third quarter last Sunday in Minnesota, Clark is listed as questionable for this Sunday's primetime showdown against Seattle at Soldier Field.

Second-stringer John Gilmore made headlines in the home-opener against Detroit, reeling in two short-distance touchdown passes. Known much more for his blocking than his receiving, those are his only two catches this season. If Clark is not able to suit up and play, Gilmore would most likely get the start at tight end.

Gilmore knows he and Clark are different players, but he seems confident that he can get the job done should he be needed.

"The difference between me and Dez in a nutshell is I'm a better blocker than Dez," Gilmore said. "Dez is a good blocker. I'm a better blocker. Dez is a better route-runner. I'm a good route-runner. So that's the difference between us. We both catch the ball well. We'll see what happens."

Although Gilmore prepares like he's going to be the starter every week, he is comfortable with his role as a reserve and recognizes what Clark brings to the offense.

"I don't even know what his status is," Gilmore said. "I'm going out there preparing like I'm going to start, and if he does, that's a plus. I want him to play. Not that I don't want to start or play more, but what he's been doing in the passing game has obviously been helping us."

Reid showed some very soft hands in the preseason and through the exhibition games, but he has battled some injuries of late and is yet to record a reception this year.

"I just had a few back spasms, but nothing too serious," Reid said. "I'll be ready this week. I'll get lots of reps this week at practice."

Working the middle of the field is what Clark has done best so far, but Reid knows he needs to do what the coaching staff asks him to do as opposed to emulating Clark.

"Yeah, you know, I'm going to try," Reid said. "I'm going to try my best to get down there. Whatever they want me to do, whether to block or to stretch the field, I'm going to try my best to get that job done. I mean it's big shoes to fill when Dez is gone. He's having a great year."

Since Grossman has done such a nice job of checking down to his secondary targets, both Gilmore and Reid need to pick up the slack if Clark isn't ready to go Sunday night.

 
Gilmore ready if Clark can't play Chicago Sun-TimesSeptember 29, 2006Bears tight end Desmond Clark remained sidelined with a sprained left foot at practice Thursday and is questionable for Sunday's game, the standard listing the Bears have given nearly everyone on the injury list through the first four weeks of the season. If Clark cannot play, John Gilmore will start and Gabe Reid is healthy. Backup tackle John St. Clair lined up as an eligible receiver against Detroit and could be used again in that way if necessary. Coach Lovie Smith said Clark does not necessarily have to practice today to play Sunday.
He didn't practice yesterday and according to Lovie, doesn't necessarily have to practice today in order to start on Sunday. Still, it doesn't sound too promising and I wonder how effective he'll be even if he does play.
 
This is not a good situation. Who do you guys think will get more looks if Clark cannot go? It seems like Gilmore will get looks in the Red Zone, but that's about it. Will Reid play and get looks in the other part of the field, hence getting him more yards and catches then Gilmore? My league rewards yards and receptions heavily. EX: TD = 6 points; catch = 3 points

 
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He missed at least parts of the team workouts today according to the injury report. I am starting to think he may not go.

 
I would make other plans at TE for this weekend fellow Clark owners. Better he sit it out and make sure he is all healed up. Foot injuries can get re-aggravated very easily.

 
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