Defensive tackle Chris Zorich suffered still another setback Wednesday when team doctors told him to expect surgery Friday to repair torn ligaments in his thumb, a procedure that should sideline him at least two to five weeks.
Zorich has slowly slipped down the depth chart after reconstructive knee surgery last season. Then debilitating back spasms have kept him out of most of this training camp. On Tuesday, he injured the thumb on his first day back in full-contact drills.
“Actually, it’s just kind of an odd situation,” Zorich said. “I was fortunate enough not to be injured until last year and I just have to keep a positive attitude. I’m very thankful it wasn’t anything more serious. It’s just unfortunate my thumb had to go right now.”
Extremely unfortunate considering that Zorich’s job was believed to be in jeopardy as late as last week, when the Bears were courting free-agent tackle Dan Saleaumua, who instead signed with Seattle. “It’s kind of frustrating,” Zorich said, “but it’s part of my occupation, I guess.”
More injuries: While Tyrone Hughes and Carl Reeves returned to practice Wednesday, John Thierry (pulled stomach muscle) and Kevin Miniefield (knee) were on the sidelines.
Miniefield’s injury appears the most serious, requiring arthroscopic surgery Friday. Coach Dave Wannstedt said he expects Thierry to start Sunday night’s game in Miami, but the defensive end called the injury “real tender.”
“I’m going to take it day by day to where I can move around again,” said Thierry, who said he sustained the injury during a pass-rush drill Tuesday. “I can’t lift weights, I can’t do anything. Hopefully, it will heal itself. I just have to be cautious right now so I’m OK for the season.”
Insurance alert: With training camp injuries beginning to mount, the need to find a quality backup center to Chris Villarrial would seem to be a priority. Currently, Evan Pilgrim and rookie Emmett Zitelli are penciled in.
“Mark (personnel director Hatley) is looking and that’s still a possibility,” Wannstedt said. “We have some backup spots right now that are very unsettled. We have competition going within our own team, but we also have to keep a close look. If there’s somebody we’re convinced can come in and help us, we’ll definitely look at that avenue.”
Cuts coming: The first league-mandated roster cutdown is Aug. 19, when the Bears must trim about 20 players to reach 60. “We’re trying to play everybody in the preseason games just for that purpose, to find out who can play, but also to get backups some work,” Wannstedt said. “There might be a few guys (cut) between now and then. But as long as guys are working as hard as they can and they’re good citizens, we’ll keep them.”
Wannstedt singled out the fourth cornerback spot as one of considerable competition with Miniefield and rookies Terry Cousin and Kevin Scott battling it out.
