I posted this also in the Desmond Clark thread:
Clark carted off with foot injury
September 25, 2006
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter
MINNEAPOLIS -- Three games into the season, and tight end Desmond Clark is already more than halfway to his receiving totals for all of 2005.
That's why the loss of Clark to what the Bears called a sprained left foot could be damaging. He was injured on the first possession of the second half and was taken to the locker room on a cart.
Clark had only two catches for 31 yards Sunday, but his 12 catches for 193 yards and a touchdown on the season have been a big lift. After catching only 24 passes each of the last two seasons, he has become a fixture for quarterback Rex Grossman in the middle of the field, helping to occupy safeties.
''We're definitely going to miss him, but we've got guys who can step up and fill his spot,'' Grossman said. ''Gabe [Reid] and [John] Gilmore will step up and make plays.
''Des is a good player. There are a lot of times where the middle of the field is open, and he runs great routes. It's not anything brilliant, we're just playing football.''
In other words, using the tight end like the team hasn't in recent years.
''I've been there before,'' Gilmore said when asked if he could fill in. ''I'm more concerned about his health than anything.''
Clark, who has missed only two games since signing with the Bears in 2003, said he would be fine but declined to elaborate.