Injury Report & Implications: CHI @ HOU

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INJURY REPORT AND IMPLICATIONS

Chicago Bears (9-6) at Houston Texans (7-8)

By

Michael Nudo

 

 

Injuries pushed Steve Slaton into a larger role for Houston (AP Photo/Ben Margot).

 

BEARS OFFENSE vs. TEXANS DEFENSE

After missing a month with a quadriceps injury, Jason McKie returned to practice this week. The Bears are hopeful to have him back in the lineup. Jason Davis has been keeping the seat warm in his absence. Running back Matt Forte played through a painful toe injury the last two weeks. He should be ready for this game. Backup Kevin Jones tweaked a hamstring last week. In the six games since Kyle Orton returned from an ankle injury, he has thrown 6 touchdowns versus 8 interceptions and has only surpassed 200 passing yards once.

 

The Texans lost outside linebacker Zach Diles just after the midpoint of the season. He had really made great strides in his second season. Kevin Bentley (Northwestern) has been starting since then. Strong safety C.C. Brown was lost early in the year. The Texans turned to veteran Nick Ferguson (knee) at that position. If Ferguson’s knee is too balky, they’ll need to turn to Brandon Harrison to step in. Harrison is a safety with very good size (6’2”, 227).

 

The Texans have a low ranking in both stopping the run and defending the pass. This would be a great time to see an awakening of the passing attack from Orton and the wide receivers. They have all gone into a funk since the middle of the season. Help should be given to left tackle John St. Clair. He’ll be working against Mario Williams (11 sacks), their only serious pass rush threat. The Bears would be wise to go back to some of the things that worked earlier in the season in terms of screen passes to Forte, no huddle and putting the offense in the right play options at the line of scrimmage.

 

TEXANS OFFENSE vs. BEARS DEFENSE

The Texans are 5-5 in games started by Matt Schaub, including impressive victories over Tennessee, Miami and Green Bay. Nagging injuries limited wide receiver Andre Johnson to just 9 games in 2007. He has been healthy this season, and boasts eye-popping totals for catches and yardage (105-1427, 6 TD). The other key for the Texans has been the play of rookie running back Steve Slaton. Slaton (248/1190, 8 TD, 45-341, TD) has been almost as important to the Texans as Forte has been to the Bears. Entering the season, many felt the 5’9” 203 lb running back would only be a niche player that couldn’t carry a team on his shoulders. Season-ending injuries for Ahman Green and Chris Brown assured Slaton of the carries needed.

 

Safety Mike Brown (calf) didn’t finish another game last week. Brown isn’t expected to be ready by Sunday. If not, Craig Steltz is likely to get the call. The Bears brought back Cameron Worrell on Friday for much needed depth at strong safety and special teams. Charles Tillman (ankle) is expected to be ready for the challenge with Andre Johnson. Tackle Anthony Adams continues to provide stout run support in relief of Dusty Dvoracek, who was lost a few weeks ago to a biceps injury. Cornerback Corey Graham starts for Nathan Vasher, who battled thumb and hand injuries for most of the season before finally landing on injured reserve. Graham is likely to be matched with steady Kevin Walter (59-876, 8 TD).

 

Schaub has been sacked six times in his last two losses. He has ten fumbles this year. To beat the Texans, the Bears will have to be more aggressive in terms of pressuring Schaub and sealing off Slaton on the run. It sounds like a recipe for blitzing. The player you should keep an eye on is tight end Owen Daniels. Daniels has quietly put up excellent numbers for a tight end (67-825, 2 TD). Look for Schaub to try beating the Bears’ blitz by finding Daniels over the middle.

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The player you should keep an eye on is tight end Owen Daniels. Daniels has quietly put up excellent numbers for a tight end (67-825, 2 TD). Look for Schaub to try beating the Bears’ blitz by finding Daniels over the middle.

 

The inability of the Bears defense to get off the field in 3rd and long situations bothers me more than anything else. I use to complain that our offense was our defenses worse problem, leaving them on the field too much with poor time of possession. This year, our 3rd down defense has been so pourous that I feel they themselves are their worse enemy. If we are to win this game it will be because we shut them down on 3rd and long. IMHO