LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -His Chicago Bears teammates shook their heads in disbelief Monday at the misfortune of nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek.
“Words do a disservice,” Bears nose tackle Anthony Adams said. “I can’t describe how he feels about it. I can’t describe how I feel about it.
“When I heard about it, I was just like, ‘man, that (stinks).’ “
Dvoracek sprained his right medial collateral ligament in Saturday night’s 17-3 preseason victory over the New York Giants. Several Chicago media outlets reported Monday that Dvoracek suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but Bears coach Lovie Smith said the team knows only about the sprain at this point.
“Dusty Dvoracek right now has an MCL sprain,” Smith said. “We’ll be doing more tests.
“That’s about all we know with him.”
e tore the left anterior cruciate ligament in the first game.
In three seasons, Dvoracek has played in 13 games. His contract expires following this season.
“I’ve been injured,” defensive end Israel Idonije said. “After it happens you’ve got to put it behind you and move on.
“You fall, you get up. You fall, you get up. That’s got to be your attitude. So he’ll be all right.”
If Dvoracek misses an extended period of time or the rest of the season, the Bears’ nose tackle situation could take on a drastically different look.
Dvoracek was in a battle with Adams and Marcus Harrison for the starting spot, but all three were rotating onto the field to stay fresh. Veteran Matt Toeaina also has had playing time in the preseason at nose tackle.
“It affects everybody,” Adams said. “We were planning on going into the season with a nice rotation. Now the rotation is a little bit off now. To lose somebody like Dusty he was a high energy guy, a high motor, great technique.
“I was counting on him being there for the whole season, but now it looks like the guys are going to have to do some extra work.”
The Bears can also use Idonije at defensive tackle in pass rushing situations or if an injury arises. He has played the position in the past, but is focusing on end this training camp.
ew other Bears out of Monday’s practice. Linebacker Jamar Williams sat out with a foot injury sustained in Saturday’s game.
Defensive end Henry Melton (ankle) and defensive tackle Tommie Harris also missed practice. Harris did not suffer a new injury, but was just given the day off to rest.
On the positive side for the Bears, cornerback Zack Bowman and safety Danieal Manning returned from missing most of training camp to do individual skills work, but sat out scrimmages. Both had been out with pulled hamstrings.
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