Injury Report & Implications: NO @ CHI

[Noots]

INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS

New Orleans Saints (7-6) at Chicago Bears (7-6)

By

Michael Nudo

 

 

Reggie Bush got healthy just in time for the Bears (AP Photo/Alex Brandon).

 

BEARS OFFENSE vs. SAINTS DEFENSE

Kyle Orton had a bounce back game on Sunday after struggling the through the first three games after his ankle injury. Fullback Jason McKie (quadriceps) missed the last two games in favor of Jason Davis. Wide receiver Marty Booker returned Sunday after missing time with a knee injury. He was welcomed back with a cracked rib against Jacksonville. Desmond Clark suffered a hamstring injury late in the last week of practice but was not limited on Sunday. Reserve running back and pint-sized special teams ace Garrett Wolfe suffered a hamstring injury early in the Jacksonville game and is not likely to be ready for the Saints.

 

Defensive end Charles Grant (triceps) was lost at the midpoint of the season. Defensive tackle Brian Young was lost in the first half of the year as well. Starting free safety Kevin Kaesviharn (neck) was placed on injured reserve last week. Cornerback Randall Gay suffered a concussion in Sunday’s game. With Aaron Glenn already out for the season, Usama Young is likely to play if Gay cannot return in time. Defensive end Will Smith (pending suspension) is expected to be eligible to play on Thursday night as the case for the diuretic he and others tested positively for is heard. For all the attention paid to Smith, keep your eye on the other end, Bobby McCray. McCray has 6 sacks and will line up over John Tait.

 

New Orleans ranks in the bottom third of the league in almost all relevant defensive statistics. For the Bears to win, they’ll need to control the football and the clock. This not only means a heavy dose of rookie Matt Forte but also a precision passing attack with Kyle Orton. Bears receivers have had a case of the drops the last few weeks. If they can get the strong safety to creep up in the box to defend the run, they’ll be able to get a good matchup with their tight ends over the middle working against Kaesviharn’s replacement, Josh Bullocks. The Saints’ secondary is banged up. This might be the time for Brandon Lloyd to show the form he displayed during the first month of the season.

 

SAINTS OFFENSE vs. BEARS DEFENSE

Reggie Bush should be well recovered from a knee injury that forced him to miss 4 games earlier in the season. As evidence of his health, Bush broke off a 43-yard run last week against the Falcons. Pierre Thomas (4.9 yards per carry and 7 rushing touchdowns) has been a surprise performer rising on the depth chart after Bush’s injury and the placement of Aaron Stecker on injured reserve. Deuce McAllister has failed to bounce back after two ACL injuries in previous seasons. He is expected to be eligible to play as the appeal for the StarCaps case drags on. Wide receiver Lance Moore has excelled while Marques Colston was out the majority of the first half of the season with a thumb injury. Kick return specialist Courtney Roby was placed on injured reserve this week. Left tackle Jammal Brown is nursing a knee injury. Alex Brown will get that matchup.

 

Corey Graham has been an upgrade at cornerback for Nathan Vasher, who battled thumb and wrist injuries before finally being placed on injured reserve. Anthony Adams and Israel Idonije played well at defensive tackle last week for Dusty Dvoracek (biceps). Dvoracek went on injured reserve this week. Both were needed last week as Tommie Harris tweaked a hamstring in Sunday’s match with Jacksonville. Harris is listed on the injury report, but with a knee issue. Rookie Marcus Harrison also saw extended snaps.

 

The Saints have the top passing offense in the NFL. Drew Brees has only been sacked 10 times. Why are they only 7-6? New Orleans is at –4 in turnover ratio. The Saints are only 1-5 on the road. While Brees is on a record pace for yardage, he has also thrown 14 interceptions. Overall, he has a 26-14 touchdown to interception ratio. The ratio is 10-10 on the road. For the Bears to slow down the Saints’ offense, they’ll need to disrupt the great timing Brees had developed with his receivers. They’ll need to get their hands up on the line and jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage. This had clearly been a problem for the Bears through the heart of their season. It will be interesting to see what adjustments can be made. If not, this could very quickly get ugly for the defense against a team that put 51 up on the Packers a few weeks ago. Look for the Saints to keep the Bears off balanced by getting the most out Bush and Thomas running the ball and on dump offs and screens.