Chicago’s most famous hamstring is acting up again.
The Bears still expect Brian Urlacher to play Sunday at Minnesota, but he was held out of practice Friday because the hamstring that he injured on the first day of training camp tightened up after Thursday’s practice.
“We’re hoping he’ll be OK,” coach Lovie Smith said Friday.
One key player for Sunday’s game won’t be OK. The Vikings announced Friday that running back Michael Bennett will be held out for the third straight game because of his sprained right knee.
Urlacher was added to the injury report as “questionable,” which technically means he has a 50-50 chance of playing, although players in that category usually play.
“I wouldn’t go that far [to say] he won’t play, but you never know–it’s a hamstring,” Smith said. “If some chance he can’t, Hunter [Hillenmeyer] will have to step in.”
Even if Urlacher can play, the fact the leg tightened up raises questions about his effectiveness on the hard surface of the Metrodome.
In the first two games, both on grass, Urlacher has been making the kind of plays expected of a four-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker.
He was not involved in a turnover last season, but last week at Green Bay, he forced an Ahman Green fumble that safety Mike Brown returned 95 yards for the pivotal score in the Bears’ 21-10 upset victory.
In each of the first two games, coaches credited Urlacher with a team-high 14 tackles (10 solos).
The Bears already are going up against Minnesota’s Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss with two new starters in the secondary because of injuries. Todd Johnson replaces Brown, out for the year with a torn Achilles’ tendon, and Todd McMillon starts for Charles Tillman, out seven to 10 weeks with a bad knee.
Smith said Joe Odom will continue to start at strong-side linebacker but Marcus Reese is ready to make his Bears debut.
“Joe will start, but Marcus will play early,” Smith said.
Rookie defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who missed Thursday’s practiced with a sore groin, worked out Friday and will start, Smith said.
“I’ll be out there,” Johnson said.
Bennett hurt the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee in an exhibition Aug. 27. The latest exam he had showed no new damage, and it’s believed it will heal with rest. The Vikings have an off week after playing the Bears and believe Bennett should be ready Oct. 10 against Houston.
“You’re talking about a running back who’s saying he’s feeling great, but you just want to make sure everything is perfect,” Minnesota coach Mike Tice said.
