The return to full health of Bears left tackle Troy Auzenne may have taken a serious setback Thursday when he suffered a deep gash in his left calf muscle during drills against the Cleveland Browns.
Auzenne, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last month, had just returned to full practice duty this week.
Neither coach Dave Wannstedt nor Auzenne could recall exactly how the injury happened.
“Fred Caito (Bears trainer) said he was going to look at the films of the practice to see how it happened,” said line coach Tony Wise, who indicated the gash was two to three inches wide.
Wannstedt said several stitches “on both the outside and inside” were required to close the wound.
“It was a deep laceration, a puncture wound,” said Wannstedt.
Fighting words: Defensive end Alonzo Spellman seemed to have a chip on his shoulder pads Thursday. He was involved in several skirmishes with Browns offensive linemen during drills.
“I wasn’t worried,” Wannstedt said of the melee. “When I was with Dallas, we practiced with the Raiders every summer. So I felt I had it under control.”
Defensive line coach Clarence Brooks was in the middle of the fight that involved several players.
“I tried to use the old hip check,” said Brooks of his attempt to restrain Spellman. “I’m just glad he didn’t swat me away. I like the intensity, and I like the fact the guys are playing hard and competing. We called the players together, and it is all over.”
Medical report: Tom Waddle had an MRI exam of his strained knee. “It came back clean, and he was swimming and (stationary) biking,” said Wannstedt, who predicts Waddle will be out of action for about two weeks.
Two other wide receivers, Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham, were slowed by tight hamstrings.
“The receivers are tired,” Wannstedt said. “Cleveland started camp last Friday, and we have had about 10 practices more. We are trying to be smart and not injure anybody. At the same time, we have to push and get some work done. The intent is to see different people match up against guys of different talent levels. I am looking to see how hard our guys compete.”
Rookie defensive tackle Jim Flanigan returned to practice after sitting out a week with a hamstring injury.
My cousin Mark: Bears free safety Mark Carrier visited with his cousin, Browns wide receiver Mark Carrier. ” We didn’t talk football,” said the Bears’ Carrier. “We talked about my wedding (next February), about personal and social things.”
Snow job: Former Bears linebacker Percy Snow, now with the Browns, said of Thursday morning’s practice: “It was just like being on the (Bears) scout team.”
Snow got into a shoving match with Bears guard Todd Burger. “I’m going to mix it up a little bit more (Friday),” said Snow. “And it will be time to really get busy (in Saturday’s scrimmage). He (Burger) is a man, and I’m a man. The best man will stand up when it’s all over.”
The Bears released Snow during the off-season. “I didn’t really think they gave up on me. It was just a decision they had to make as an organization. No hard feelings. I wish them the best.”
National following: Charter members of the first national Chicago Bears Fan Club are in Platteville watching practices. Only nine NFL clubs claim an organized national following.
The $30 membership fee entitles members to a T-shirt, license-plate holder, key chain, bumper sticker, personalized membership certificate and other perks. Organized to unite Bear fans from around the world, the club will kick off this season, the 75th in club history.Those interested can call 1-800-790-BEAR.
The fan club will organize trips this season to Bear games in Miami, Tampa and Phoenix.
