VASHER OUT?
Two separate injuries to the right hand of Bears starting cornerback Nathan Vasher puts the rest of his season in jeopardy. Vasher fractured his hand in Sunday’s win over the Rams and re-injured his surgically repaired thumb that knocked him out of October. As of right now, no additional surgery is required.
“He will be out for a while,” said head coach Lovie Smith. “He will not play this week.”
It marks the 18th injury related absence in the last 44 games for Vasher. He will likely miss the r est of the regular season and could go on injured reserve.
In 2006, Vasher missed games 13 and 14 with a hamstring injury. In 2007, Vasher missed nearly three months and 12 games of the season with a groin tear suffered in a week three defeat to the Cowboys. This season, Vasher missed 3 October games after surgery to place a pin in his right hand to correct a thumb injury.
GRAHAM OPPORTUNITY
Corey Graham moves into the starting lineup again for Vasher. The young cornerback is an impressive tackler and at various times has taken snaps away from Vasher this season.
“He’s a good player, “ Smith said. “We feel comfortable with him playing as we do with Trumaine McBride. Still hard when you lose your starter, a guy like Nate, but it’s a long year and injuries happen.”
It will be Graham’s fifth start this season. He has nearly doubled Vasher in tackles(51-to-26) and has 14 more on special teams. Last week in St. Louis, Graham graded out very well on kick coverage leading the Bears with four tackles. His move into the starting lineup could affect his role on special teams.
OTHER BUMPS AND BRUISES
Mike Brown (calf), Marty Booker (knee), Jamar Williams (groin), Desmond Clark (knee) all missed Wednesday’s practice. The only Viking to miss practice was starting right tackle Artis Hicks (elbow).
ANOTHER PRACTICE SQUAD ADDITION
New Mexico rookie undrafted free agent receiver Travis Brown was waived prior to the preseason by Seattle, claimed by Cincinnati, and waived in August. Brown caught 182 passes and 14 touchdowns in college. He joins fellow undrafted rookie free agent receiver Rudy Burgess, second year-veteran receiver John Broussard, and second-year veteran receiver Mike Hass on the practice squad.
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