When the Bears take their first snap Sunday against the Seahawks, two players who have accounted for 96 percent of their total yardage will be missing because of injuries–running back Anthony Thomas and quarterback Kordell Stewart. The Bears declared Thomas out Friday with a sprained foot while Stewart remains listed as doubtful and hasn’t taken a snap all week. Imagine how short-handed the Bears will be if wide receiver Marty Booker cannot play, a strong possibility. Booker, listed as questionable with a sprained right ankle, did limited work Friday, and his status won’t be decided until kickoff. “It’s not the way you would script it,” coach Dick Jauron said. Unless you were scripting a horror movie set at Halas Hall. . . . Guard Corbin Lacina suffered a mild concussion in Thursday’s practice and will miss Sunday’s game. Terrence Metcalf will be active for the first time this season. . . .
Former Bear Bobby Engram, in his third season as the third receiver with the Seahawks, admits the adrenaline will course through his body a little quicker than usual Sunday. “Obviously, you’re going to have some emotions. I would be a liar if I said I didn’t,” Engram said. “I spent five years of blood, sweat and tears there.” The Bears let Engram go near the end of training camp in 2001, less than a year after he shredded his knee in the third game of the 2000 season against the Giants. Engram, a second-round draft pick in 1996, was the Bears’ seventh-leading career receiver when he left town abruptly. Did the decision shock him? “Yeah, anybody that tells you otherwise is lying,” Engram said. “Especially the way it was done. Nobody wants to get cut, but it’s a competitive business. I felt like they should have communicated better with me. That was disappointing.” A rejuvenation came with the Seahawks, where coach Mike Holmgren gave Engram a chance to contribute and tutor young receivers Koren Robinson and Darrell Jackson. He has been comfortable enough to sign two contracts in Seattle and isn’t caught up in whether the Bears have noticed his career revival. “I didn’t know what they were thinking when I was there, and I don’t know what they’re thinking now,” Engram said. . . .
Asked if he was surprised former Bears teammate Cade McNown was no longer in the league, Engram didn’t hesitate. “No,” he said. The two were not often on the same page in Chicago. . . . The Bears have four sacks in five games, but defensive coordinator Greg Blache disputes the notion that the team hasn’t had a consistent pass rush. “I think we would have gotten beaten 50-0 if we haven’t gotten any pressure at all,” Blache said. “To say we have not gotten pressure all season is not exactly honest. That’s kind of like my wife, always and never.” . . . Chris Chandler has more than just starting his first game of the season to look forward to Sunday in Seattle. His hometown is Everett, Wash., about 20 miles away and he starred at the University of Washington. “It’s my old stamping grounds,” Chandler said. “I don’t get up there much. With three kids, it’s hard to get everybody up there. But it’s a nice part of the country, and it’ll be nice to go back home and see some family.”
