APWhen Bears center Hroniss Grasu went down with a knee injury on Saturday, coach John Fox said it looked “fairly serious.” It turned out to be about as serious as a knee injury gets.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that an MRI confirmed Grasu suffered a torn ACL.
That’s a major blow at a position where the Bears are lacking depth. Two veterans who could have filled in at the position were Matt Slauson and Manny Ramirez, but the Bears cut Slauson in May and he signed with the Chargers, and then Ramirez retired in June.
The Bears took Grasu in the third round of last year’s draft. He started eight games as a rookie and was slated to start this year, but it now appears the Bears will have to turn to backup Ted Larsen.
Grasu went down without being touched at an open practice the Bears had at Soldier Field. The playing surface at Soldier Field has often been criticized, and this summer it has taken a lot of wear and tear with soccer and concerts. It is never possible to say for sure whether poor field conditions caused any particular injury, but this injury may cause more scrutiny on the field in Chicago.
So you have no idea what caused the knee injury, yet you speculate the field surface was the cause. Great journalism.
Last I checked we had multiple young lineman who can be serviceable at the C position along that offensive line thus why we let Slausen go.. Also we drafted a kid from Kansas State who can play C & G positions. We are not in dire states due to a inexperienced C tore an ACL.. The same C who season ended his rookie year due to injury. Give him an injury settlement & cut him he’s undersized & far too injury prone for the NFL.
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The Patriots have three quality centers on their roster in Brian Stork, David Andrews and this year’s third rounder, Joe Thuney. It’s possible that one could be available via trade.
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In a multi-billion dollar industry like the NFL there is no excuse for flaws in any field. They can afford to make all playing and practice surfaces nearly perfect all the time. They just don’t want to.
they don’t practice at soldier field so what are you talking about smh
You could have a magic carpet out there and guys would get hurt, just bad luck. Grasu was developing nicely, damn.
Well if that doesn’t suck.
Bears fans once said that they are better than the Vikings and the Packers. Not even close even if they have all of their starters.
It looks like the injury gods have targeted the Fox era Bears for their wrath yet another season.
I feel really bad for this kid. He worked his tail off this offseason and by training camp accounts was mostly holding his own against the likes of Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks who are not exactly garden variety competition.
As for replacements, Larsen at C and the rookie Whitehair at LG aren’t what Fox or Cutler wanted I’m sure but this was the gamble Pace took in cutting Slauson so now they have to play the hand they’ve been dealt.
Terrible news. Feel sorry for the young man.
Training camp/preseason injuries suck!
Seems like there might be a center or guard available when the teams cut to 53.
Hroniss Grasu means “Bad Luck” in the dialect of his Balkan ancestors, and that has proven to be prophetic.
Every time camp opens you wonder which players won’t make it through. The Bears and most teams rarely escape without at least one ACL. Terrible for this kid. Hopefully this is the last one.
TheDPR says:
Aug 7, 2016 8:44 AM
In a multi-billion dollar industry like the NFL there is no excuse for flaws in any field. They can afford to make all playing and practice surfaces nearly perfect all the time. They just don’t want to.
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The NFL nor the Chicago Bears own or maintain Soldier Field.
It is taken care of by the Chicago Park District and their union. Even the nfl will not get involved in Chicago politics or their unions out of fear cement boots.
I was looking forward to his shot at redemption for being pushed around last season. Good luck with the rehab.
Bears consistently seem to have horrible luck with injuries every year.
As a Packers fan, I love to hate on the Bears as our opponent in the greatest rivalry in football, it’s almost a brotherhood. I never wish injury on our respected rival, I hope his recovery goes well. I spent significant time in Chicago many years ago and it remains my favorite big city. Injuries suck, we feel your pain. Chicago still holds the overall win total against Green Bay 94-92-6. Expect that to be challenged this year.
“So you have no idea what caused the knee injury, yet you speculate the field surface was the cause”
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Their surface sucks, and they need to either go to an artificial or hybrid mesh surface like Green Bay. Unfortunately, it’s owned by the Park District, so the Bears can’t just switch it up if they wanted to.
“As a Packers fan, I love to hate on the Bears as our opponent in the greatest rivalry in football, it’s almost a brotherhood.”
Amen to that. Dislike the Pack as a Bear’s fan when we play them, but love watching them play. The two organizations ar intertwined through the history of the NFL, even off the field. Probably one of the most passionate, mostly respectful, long standing rivalry. The old timers have some great stories of their battles.
I really hated the Pack during the Forrest Gregg years, but now they’re just a lot of fun to watch, except 2 weeks of the year.
Wolfe, Williams, and Walker are licking their chops for Thursday…foxy might want to bench Cutler for his health.
The playing surface at Soldier Field is a road hazard. Bears and Chicago fans deserve better.
codythao35 says:
Aug 7, 2016 9:43 AM
Bears fans once said that they are better than the Vikings and the Packers. Not even close even if they have all of their starters.
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Neither the respected Packers or Bears franchise said that, you’re just mad because the Vikings have ZERO Championships and have the most consistent choking streak that consists of absolutely ZERO Championships since that embarrassment of a team entered the league.
The Minnesota Viking Vikings have the most delusional fan base and ZERO (0) Championships.
ZERO.
The Vikings will always be trying to catch the Bears and Packers on a respected, historical and NFL caliber level and that’s the way it will ALWAYS be!
Enjoy your ZERO (0) and jealousy!!!
Another one of Pace’s gambles/decisions comes back to haunt the Bears again. Hopefully he recovers quickly and can get back on the field next season.
Well, the Pace-Fox regime thus far seems to be all about building depth and interchangeable parts in lieu of superstars. They let Slauson go, so now their philosophy will be tested. Hard to imagine Cutler building a lot of trust with his o-line. Hope we don’t start to see more skiddish footwork and rushed passing.
I know of an experienced center that just became available again recently. The Chargers cut Trevor Robinson not too long ago, and he started 13 games for them last year.
nesby2 says:
Give him an injury settlement & cut him he’s undersized & far too injury prone for the NFL.
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rvz22 says:
Another one of Pace’s gambles/decisions comes back to haunt the Bears again.
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B-I-N-G-O.
Pace is on the hook for this big time. Again, management not doing Jay any favors.