Second-year Bears receiver Bernard Berrian underwent surgery Tuesday to repair torn ligaments in his left thumb and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Berrian was injured when he tried to straight-arm a Ravens defender Sunday after making one of his two catches.
The Bears didn’t comment other than to confirm it had happened against Baltimore. Berrian could be placed on injured reserve, which would end his season.
The injury will give former starter Justin Gage an opportunity against Detroit. Gage, inactive against Baltimore, met with coach Lovie Smith this week.
“I agree with what he said,” Gage said. “In a nutshell, it was like, `We have a strong 53-man roster.’ It was a week that somebody had to sit. It happened to be me. I’ll just keep playing and try to make plays, whether it’s a couple or a lot.”
Two Bears, punt returner Bobby Wade and defensive end Michael Haynes, have rebounded from being inactive with solid games.
In other health news, Mark Bradley (knee), Thomas Jones (knee), Brad Maynard (calf), Fred Miller (ankle) and Ruben Brown (pectoral muscle) missed practice. All but Brown, who is questionable, are probable on the injury report. Smith said Brown would replace Roberto Garza at left guard whenever he returns.
For Detroit, cornerback Dre’ Bly is out, and starters Jeff Backus, Shaun Rogers and Roy Williams are questionable.
He’s (full)back
The Bears promoted Bryan Johnson, last season’s starting fullback, from the physically-unable-to-perform list.
They have three weeks to add him to the active roster or injured reserve, or cut him.
“He looked good,” Smith said. “He’s been around here for a while. It’s not like he’s a new guy coming in.”
Johnson had surgery on his right foot in December.
“I’m just trying to make sure I keep my rehab up and I’m able to play,” Johnson said. “I’ll leave the decision to the coaches and trainers as to when I’m ready to go.”
Road warriors
The Bears are one of 11 teams that have yet to win a road game. They have dropped all three games at Detroit’s Ford Field. Those three losses were by a combined 11 points.
“In order to say we’re a good football team, we need to win on the road,” Smith said. “What better time than now to start?”
Extra points
The Bears re-signed fullback Thump Belton to the practice squad, making room by waiving Gabe Lindstrom. The punter had been signed last week in case Maynard couldn’t go against Baltimore. …
The Lions’ defense is rated ninth, one of five top-10 defenses the Bears face in their first 13 games. Detroit joins No. 1 Tampa Bay, No. 2 Baltimore, No. 4 Washington and No. 8 Pittsburgh.
