Invading Detroit Rock City: Bears News And Notes
By Rob Winn in News on Sep 27, 2013 4:40PM
The Bears look to remain unbeaten as they head to Detroit Sunday to play their first indoor game of the season. The Lions have started the season strong after a disappointing 2012 campaign. The home crowd will make things tough for the offense and Lions quarterback Matt Stafford has more than enough weapons to put up points in a hurry. Wide receiver Nate Burleson will miss the game after becoming the first athlete in history to suffer a pizza-related injury other than burnt mouth but versatile running back Reggie Bush will return after missing Week 3. The Lions will present a tough matchup for the Bears as they look to move to 4-0. Here is the buzz around Halas Hall.
No Practice For Peanut
Cornerback Charles Tillman missed practice again Thursday but claims he will play Sunday. With a sore right knee and strained groin, don't expect Tillman to shadow Pro Bowl wide receiver Calvin Johnson as he has done in years past. Bears coach Marc Trestman wasn't as sure that Tillman will be ready to play Sunday saying, "We're not gonna put him out there if the doctors feel he's not ready to play." If Tillman doesn't play expect Zach Bowman to take his place, which could present problems since Tillman has played so well against Johnson.
A Boy Named Suh
Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and right guard Kyle Long will face off for the first time Sunday, and many are expecting a tough battle. Suh kicked off the week by saying, "We'll see how well he is prepared to block me when we play on Sunday." He went on to say, "That's not anything of my concern. I just look forward to digest whoever I have in front me."
Long, meanwhile, took the high road and hasn't talked to the media. This should make for an interesting battle considering Suh's history of questionable hits on Jay Cutler and Long's penchant for engaging anyone that threatens his teammates. Call it a meathead thought, but we can't wait for Suh and Long to renew pleasantries for years to come.
Next Man Up
Defensive tackle Henry Melton will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, leaving Nate Collins to fill in as a starter. Sunday will be Collins' first start in the NFL and it doesn't come at an ideal time. The defensive line has been criticized early in the season for their lack of productivity. The only team they were able to generate pressure against was the depleted Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bears will miss Melton, but he wasn't having a strong start to the season and was playing on the franchise tag. Collins is a talented player and will have the opportunity to audition as the starter going forward.