Bears' beat up secondary is a primary concern for Lovie Smith
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PHOTOS () —
By Vaughn McClure
Chicago Tribune
(MCT)
SAN FRANCISCO — The Chicago Bears' secondary continues to take hits, forcing Lovie Smith to experiment with different combinations.
Starting right cornerback Zackary Bowman suffered an abdominal injury during the Bears' 10-6 loss to the 49ers on Thursday night. Before exiting, Bowman picked off quarterback Alex Smith, his second interception in as many games.
Corey Graham replaced Bowman alongside starting left cornerback Charles Tillman.
The Bears entered the game short-handed, with starting strong safety Al Afalava sidelined after aggravating a right shoulder bruise in Sunday's 41-21 loss to the Cardinals. Afalava was questionable going into the game, but the fact that he missed both days of practice was a good indication he wouldn't play.
With backup Kevin Payne sidelined by a back injury, Josh Bullocks, who signed a one-year free-agent deal with the Bears during the offseason, started in place of Afalava. Bullocks, who started 49 games when he was with the New Orleans Saints, could have done more to try to keep 49ers running back Frank Gore out of the end zone on a 14-yard touchdown run. And he wasn't able to come up with a fumble in the fourth quarter that was caused by Tillman.
Even Tillman entered Thursday's game a little banged up after injuring his left shoulder against the Cardinals.
He was somewhat limited in practice this week but vowed to be 100 percent for the game. Tillman showed few limitations, although he had a tough time keeping up with 49ers rookie Michael Crabtree on several plays.
The Bears can ill afford to be banged up in the secondary considering the offenses they will face in the coming weeks.
Next up is Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. Then the Bears have their first meeting with Brett Favre and the NFC North-leading Vikings.
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(c) 2009, Chicago Tribune.
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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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PHOTOS (from MCT Photo Service, 202-383-6099):
"BEARS"
