LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -Even though the cycle kept repeating itself, Anthony Adams still felt a shock each time.
He’d prepare.
Then, he’d find out he wasn’t playing.
Adams went through that frustrating cycle seven times in the Chicago Bears’ first 10 games, but he won’t have to worry about that Sunday when Jacksonville visits. Adams figures to play a bigger role on the defensive line now that starting nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek is likely out for the rest of the season with an arm injury.
“It’s been difficult, but I still have to keep my head up and know that I’m still part of the plans,” Adams said. “As hard as it’s been, I’m at the point now where they really do need me to go out and perform.”
A minor foot injury kept Adams out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but coach Lovie Smith expects him to be ready on Sunday.
They need him to be ready, actually.
tackles, to a ruptured right biceps on the opening drive of last week’s 34-14 loss to Minnesota was a big blow to the run defense.
Adams came in and contributed six tackles, while rookie Marcus Harrison added seven. Both will probably see snaps in Dvoracek’s place, but Harrison will likely spend more time backing up Tommie Harris because he’s more effective in the three technique.
The Bears might also activate second-year pro Matt Toeaina for the first time this season since he has experience at nose tackle, but Adams figures to carry most of the load there.
“Anthony has played well every time we’ve given him an opportunity to fill in,” Smith said. “He filled in very well this past week – he and Marcus Harrison did at the nose position. We kept quite a few defensive linemen on our roster throughout the year, and now, we need them all.”
A second-round pick out of Penn State by San Francisco in 2003, Adams was a part-time starter through his first five seasons and played an important role last year after signing with Chicago. He started eight games and appeared in 11 while contributing 49 tackles before a season-ending elbow injury.
But with Dvoracek healthy after being limited to one game through his first two seasons, Adams got buried on the depth chart. He saw significant playing time against Detroit on Oct. 5 when Harris served a team suspension – but that was it.
the first three games and back on the sideline for four of five after filling in against the Lions – certainly not what he envisioned this season.
“It was very shocking,” Adams said. “It just came from out of nowhere. You go from starting to not even dressing, and I was like, ‘Man, what’s going on?”’
The Bears are trying to catch Minnesota and hold off Green Bay in their bid to win the NFC North and make the playoffs, and Adams’ performance could go a long way toward determining whether they succeed.
A win last week would have given the Bears a sweep of the Vikings and control of the division race. Instead, Minnesota leads by a game and could wrap up a possible tiebreaker this week with a win over the Lions. In that case, Chicago would have to finish with a better record than the Vikings to capture the division.
There’s little room for a letdown, and a strong possibility Adams will be tested this week against the Jaguars – who boast two dangerous running backs in Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor.
“These four games are going to be so important,” Adams said. “I’m just willing to give my body and soul for these four games because in my whole career, I haven’t sniffed the playoffs. This is Year 6 for me, so my time is ticking.”
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