For three hours Sunday, the Bears were supposed to be able to focus only on football.
But 4 minutes 48 seconds into their game with the Seahawks at Soldier Field, that again became difficult when wide receiver Johnny Knox lay on the ground for nearly 10 minutes after a blow near the head.
Knox caught a Caleb Hanie pass and fumbled near the Bears 20 when, in the scramble for the ball, he collided with Seahawks defensive end Anthony Hargrove. Hargrove’s 272 pounds bent Knox backward near the head and neck region. The Bears was taken in an ambulance to a nearby hospital and a sideline report from WBBM-AM said Knox was moving his arms and legs after sustaining a lower-back injury.
I wondered what effect the site of Knox laying on the ground receiving medical attention for that long had on Bears teammates who looked concerned watching and waiting. The Bears’ concentration level already had been challenged this week by the shocking arrest of former wide receiver Sam Hurd on federal drug charges. Now Knox, a popular teammate, was flat on his back in a frightening scene that no football player ever wants to see.
Things seemed even more deflating after the defense staged a goal-line stand to hold the Seahawks to a field goal only to have that effort negated by a Corey Graham penalty on the attempt. A Marshawn Lynch gave the visitors a 7-0 lead and the Bears every reason to start feeling sorry for themselves.
The Bears defense doesn’t throw pity parties.
So on the next series, Julius Peppers hit Tarvaris Jackson’s arm on a pass attempt from the end zone, popped the ball loose and Israel Idonije recovered for the tying touchdown.
Who needs the offense? The Bears “D” now has as many touchdowns in the last nine quarters and overtime as the Bears offense.
Now Hanie has to change that trend and do his part — and without his favorite receiver, Knox.
The Bears can worry about their fallen teammate later. Looks like it will take all they’ve got to win this football game they cannot lose without ending their NFC playoff hopes.
Other early observations.
**Fans booed the call on Graham for using a teammate to elevate and try to block a field goal. But every special-teams player knows the rules and he violated them. So it’s hard to argue with the penalty.
**Hanie finally found Earl Bennett for a 20-yard gain and followed that up with a completion to Kellen Davis over the middle. He still looks shaky and needs to find rhythm Bears say he shows in practice.
**Good to see Anthony Adams back in the middle of the Bears defensive line, clogging holes.
**Kahlil Bell supplied enough burst in his first-quarter series for me to reduce Marion Barber’s role. Think of it this way: If it’s a close game in the fourth quarter, who would you feel most comfortable carrying the ball if you’re the Bears?
**Don’t overlook punter Adam Podlesh’s 34-yard punt that set up Idonije’s touchdown. Podlesh pinned the Seahawks at the 4-yard line.
Dhaugh@tribune.com
Twitter @DavidHaugh
