Peppers doubtful for game against Vikes
Share This Story
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)
HURTING GROUND
Nicks, bruises and all out injuries. Find out which players might not take the field this week.Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers is doubtful for Sunday's home game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Peppers, the team's top pass rusher, has a sprained left knee and did not practice at all this week after getting hurt in Monday night's loss at Detroit.
''I don't know if they'll completely change the game plan, but I'd say you'll have an entirely different attitude not having Julius Peppers on the football field,'' Bears coach Lovie Smith said of the Vikings. ''Great player, you have to deal with him. Especially on passing downs, you have to think about putting two guys on him. We need other guys to step up.''
Nick Reed will likely see time as Peppers' replacement. The Bears signed Reed, a seventh-round 2009 Seattle draft pick, after he had been released with an injury settlement last year. Reed is the all-time sacks leader at Oregon.
''He's a tough guy to replace,'' Reed said about Peppers. ''There's not a lot of people who could just come in and fill his shoes. We've got a great D-line and a great defense and no one man is going to win this game. It's going to be a team effort.''
The Bears (2-3) and Minnesota (1-4) are both in need of wins to stay close to Green Bay and Detroit, the league's last two undefeated teams, in the NFC North.
Peppers has two sacks on the season and had eight last year after signing a $91 million free agent contract to leave Carolina, one that included $42 million in guaranteed bonus money.
Corey Wootton had been the Bears' third defensive end, but suffered a broken hand in preparations for the Lions game.
''I broke it, so it's tough for a D-lineman to play with one hand,'' Wootton said.
Rookie Mario Addison is available as a backup, and Amobi Okoye can move from tackle to end after doing it several times in preseason.
The Bears' other defensive changes come at safety, where rookie third-round pick Chris Conte will make his first start and second-year player Major Wright will also start with veterans Chris Harris and Brandon Meriweather moving to the bench.
Conte played some in the first two games, was deep on a 79-yard touchdown pass against New Orleans, and then dropped out of the first four safeties. Now the former California player is back and starting for a Bears defense that has been besieged with big plays the last four games.
''I think as long as we make them grind it out and make them beat us then that's the best thing we can do,'' Conte said. ''So, as long as we keep the ball in front of us and really guard against the big play, I think we'll be all right.''
Tackle Gabe Carimi (knee) and defensive tackle Matt Toeaina (knee) are out, while wide receiver Earl Bennett is questionable after missing the previous three-plus games with a bruised chest.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Police: Ex-champ Tapia found dead
Johnny Tapia, the five-time boxing champion whose turbulent career was marked by coca... -
Two killed as rally car strikes crowd
A race car went out of control on a rural Irish road and crashed into a crowd of abou... -
Roddick doesn't deserve all this blame
We can't hold Roddick to unfair standard any longer. -
Federer hits milestone at French Open
Roger Federer tied Jimmy Connors' Open era record of 233 Grand Slam match wins by bea... -
Injury will keep Clarke out of US Open
British Open champion Darren Clarke has withdrawn from next month's U.S. Open in San ...
NFL Videos
Schrager: Settle down everyone
Posted: May 23, 2012
Peter Schrager talks about Peyton Manning's first practice and Tim Tebow's contr...
Peter Schrager talks about Peyton Manning's first practice and Tim Tebow's contr...
Jackson looks back
Posted: May 22, 2012
Laura Okmin sits down with Rams RB Steven Jackson about life on and off the fiel...
Laura Okmin sits down with Rams RB Steven Jackson about life on and off the fiel...
Glazer: LT unaware ring for sale
Posted: May 18, 2012
Jay Glazer says Lawrence Taylor was unaware his Super Bowl XXV ring was put up f...
Jay Glazer says Lawrence Taylor was unaware his Super Bowl XXV ring was put up f...
NFL Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Orleans_Saints/browse/featuredproduct/792884/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_792000/ff_792884_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New Orleans Saints Ladies Team Established V-Neck T-Shirt - Gold |
| Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Jets/browse/featuredproduct/799723/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_799000/ff_799723_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Nike New York Jets Legend Authentic Football Font Performance T-Shirt - Green |
| Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Arizona_Cardinals/browse/featuredproduct/800436/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_800000/ff_800436_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Arizona Cardinals Just Do It T-Shirt - Red |
| Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/801105/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_801000/ff_801105_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Denver Broncos Blockbuster T-Shirt - Navy Blue |
| New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/803136/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_803000/ff_803136_xl.jpg&w=100 | 34.95 | New Era New England Patriots 2012 NFL Draft Fitted Hat - Navy Blue |
| Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/819243/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_819000/ff_819243_xl.jpg&w=100 | 31.95 | Nike Justin Tuck New York Giants #91 Replica Name & Number T-Shirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Indianapolis_Colts/browse/featuredproduct/851313/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851313_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Andrew Luck Indianapolis Colts 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Royal Blue |
| Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Washington_Redskins/browse/featuredproduct/851315/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851315_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Robert Griffin Washington Redskins 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Burgundy |
| Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Cleveland_Browns/browse/featuredproduct/851598/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_851000/ff_851598_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Trent Richardson Cleveland Browns 2012 Draft Game Jersey - Brown |
| Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/852589/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_852000/ff_852589_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Nike Morris Claiborne Dallas Cowboys 2012 NFL Draft Game Jersey - Navy Blue |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.