Injury Concerns Following Bears 28-10 Win Over Vikings

The Bears signal a recovery of Adrian Peterson’s fumble. (Photo courtesy of Chicago Tribune)

The Bears fended off division rival Minnesota Vikings and multiple injuries to secure a 28-10 win to snap a two game skid and take command of the NFC North with a 28-10 win.  They may have won the battle but the war may be more difficult to fight as the Bears sustained multiple casualties on both sides of the ball.  The extent of the injuries is unknown but there are plenty of them to discuss.

Devin Hester

Hester suffered a concussion in the first half and did not return.  His status for next week is unclear, but you know how these concussion things go.

Chris Spencer

Spencer suffered a knee injury and tried to come back into the game late in the first half, but could not continue.

Lance Louis

Lance Louis was blindsided by Jared Allen as he tried to make a tackle on an interception.

"Allen told reporters he was informed Louis injured his medial collateral ligament, although the information was not confirmed. The Vikings star defended his play.“I thought it was a legal hit,” Allen said. “He’s running to make a tackle, so I just went to block him. I never intentionally try to hurt anybody.“My condolences to him and his family.”"

Dude, he didn’t die.  If I were Allen, I’d expect a little notice in my locker for that cheap shot.  All of that said, Louis has to keep his head on a swivel.  This play reminded me of the de-cleater that Warren Sapp pulled on a Green Bay Packer (sorry, don’t remember his name – help in the Comments please) that ended up being a pretty serious injury.

Peanut Tillman

Tillman left the game in the second half with an ankle injury.  Kelvin Hayden slid into Tillman’s spot while DJ Moore slid back into the nickel role that Hayden had been occupying.  It was reported that Tillman left the Bears locker room in a walking boot.

Matt Forte

Forte suffered a knee injury in the third quarter on a confusing play that was nearly called a touchdown for the Vikings.  As one of the faithful viewing the game at Soldier Field, the play was really confusing as the Vikings picked up the loose ball and ran it in uncontested.  The officials then proceeded to call it a touchdown and then announce the ruling had been confirmed before re-reviewing the play and calling it down by contact.  Meanwhile, Forte limped to the locker room.

A few more bullet points on the Bears win.

• Forte fumbles on the first play from scrimmage.  I guess it’s progress over Jay Cutler getting sacked but come on man.
• Adrian Peterson recorded a 100 yard game, but most of the yardage came in garbage time.  When it mattered most, the Bears kept him in check.  Nice work D!
• The Vikings repeatedly ran the little bootleg play on third and short for big gains.  Rod Marinelli and Lovie had better figure out something before they play in 2 weeks.
• I liked the effort from defensive tackles Stephen Paea and Nate Collins.
• I know that he was one of the goats from last week, but give a little credit to Gabe Carimi.  When guards Chris Spencer and Lance Louis went down with injuries, Carimi raised his hand to step in and play guard, a position he’d never played before and did it decently.
• Brandon Marshall finished the day with 12 catches on 19 targets and became the 9th Bears receiver in history to top 1000 yards.    The Bears still have 5 games to go.  Most impressive were the catches in tight spaces.  Jay isn’t afraid to throw into tight coverage and Marshall fights for the ball.
• That said, he’s got to haul in that bomb that Cutler threw.
• Nice to see Earl Bennett back into the flow of the offense.  He had four catches for 45 yards.
• Michael Bush added two TD’s in short yardage.  He finished the day with 21 carries for 60 yards.
• Mike Tice has been under fire, but give him some credit too.  He coached ’em up and schemed to put the Bears offense in a position to succeed.
• Nice catch by Matt Spaeth on that touchdown.  Nice throw by Jay Cutler.  That’s nice.

The Bears will turn their attention to not only getting healthy, but to the pesky Seattle Seahawks, who lost 24-21 in Miami.