Bears rookie defensive end
Shea McClellin
left Sunday’s game early in the first quarter after suffering a concussion and did not return.
It was unclear how McClellin suffered the injury. He was taken to the locker room for evaluation.
Coach
Lovie Smith
did not expand on McClellin’s status after the game. The coach simply said both McClellin and quarterback
Jay Cutler
suffered concussions.
Concussions have been a topic of discussion with McClellin in the past. There were reports that the first-round draft pick suffered three concussions while at Boise State. McClellin denied those reports following the draft.
McClellin did admit he suffered one serious concussion against Wyoming in 2010 and had a mild concussion in 2009.
“I don’t know where those reports came from,” McClellin said in April. “I had one concussion in 2010. I didn’t miss a game. I missed one practice. They kept me out.
“In 2009, it wasn’t really a concussion. I had concussion-like symptoms, but I was sick before that so it was more precautionary. It was basically just one. I don’t know where three came from. I changed my helmet last year and I have not had any problems since.”
McClellin entered Sunday’s game with 21/2 sacks, tied for second among NFC rookies. With him out,
Corey Wootton
got more opportunities to rush on third down.
Dodging a bullet:
The Bears dodged one of the Texans’ top offensive weapons Sunday night.
Tight end
Owen Daniels
, who played at Naperville Central, was inactive with a hip/back injury.
Bears linebacker
Brian Urlacher
said the Bears don’t scheme for tight ends, but Daniels would have been a tough cover. He had 37 catches for 478 yards and five touchdowns in the first eight games.
Garrett Graham
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started and was the target on quarterback
Matt Schaub’s
first pass, gaining 1 yard.
Out of action:
Receiver
Alshon Jeffery
, who returned to practice Friday but was limited coming back from a fractured right hand, was inactive for the fourth consecutive game. He could be back for next Monday night’s matchup against the 49ers.
Also inactive for the Bears were
Dane Sanzenbacher
,
Edwin Williams
,
Matt Toeaina
,
Brody Eldridge
,
Amobi Okoye
and
Cheta Ozougwu
. Toeaina was doubtful coming off a calf injury. The Texans were without starting nose tackle
Shaun Cody
(ribs/lung) and backup running back
Ben Tate
(hamstring).
Extra points:
Kelvin Hayden
continued to play nickel back while demoted
D.J. Moore
didn’t see the field on defense in the first half. … Backup offensive lineman
Jonathan Scott
was in for the first offensive play as the Bears opened with their heavy package to help neutralize Texans pass rusher
J.J. Watt
.
… Special teamer
Blake Costanzo
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appeared to start the game with a fumble recovery, but Texans returner
Keshawn Martin
was ruled down before he coughed up the ball.
Twitter @vxmcclure23