Quarterback Erik Kramer underwent treatment Tuesday on his slightly separated right shoulder.
“It feels a lot better,” Kramer said. “The swelling has gone down a lot.”
Kramer will test the shoulder Wednesday. “And then we will see how it goes,” he said.
According to the latest statistics, Kramer ranks second in the NFC with a passer rating of 107.5. He has completed 63 of 91 passes (69.2 percent) for 762 yards and six touchdowns. He has been intercepted twice. Only 49ers quarterback Steve Young has a better rating in the NFC with a 108.9 mark.
League-wide, Kramer ranks fourth. San Diego’s Stan Humphries (119.4) and Miami’s Dan Marino (117.7) top the AFC.
Kramer completed 27 of 35 passes for 261 yards and one touchdown against the Vikings. He had one pass intercepted and returned 81 yards for a TD by rookie cornerback Dwayne Washington.
“I was not hurt enough not to play,” said Kramer, when asked why he did not come out of the game after John Randle sacked him in the third quarter.
Backup quarterback Steve Walsh would be summoned if Kramer is not fit to face the Jets at the Meadowlands Sunday night. Walsh excelled in the preseason, completing 45 of 68 passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns. He was intercepted twice and had a 93.9 passer rating. He is yet to appear in the regular season.
“I am just hoping this is something I can get through and play with,” Kramer said. “If I don’t have any pain throwing, then I will play with what I have got.”
The Bears rank 22d in the NFL in total offense-27th rushing and 13th passing.
Trial runs: Running back Robert Green (stomach muscle)and linebackers Vinson Smith and Dante Jones will join Kramer in testing injuries Wednesday.
Nickel’s worth: The Bears feel defensive lineman Albert Fontenot did a decent job last Sunday stopping the run and as a pass rusher in the nickel defense.
“That scheme kind of worked out well for us last week,” said Bears defensive line coach Clarence Brooks. “We always have thought a lot about Al and getting him more involved in the defense. We wanted to move some people around, and John Thierry was the guy we wanted to see if we could get his speed on the field. That looked like it went well.”
Putting on a clinic: Jan Wannstedt, wife of the Bears coach, will conduct a WGN-sponsored football clinic for women at the downtown Hyatt on Oct. 4. Mrs. Wannstedt pioneered Monday Night Football sessions in Dallas when Dave was the defensive coordinator of the Cowboys.
