Thread: Bears' Carimi to miss 'extended period of time'

Bears' Carimi to miss 'extended period of time'
By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter

4:17 p.m. CDT, September 21, 2011
The Chicago Bears are bracing to be without rookie right tackle Gabe Carimi for an “extended period of time” after the first-round draft pick suffered a subluxation of his right knee in Sunday’s loss at New Orleans.

The partial dislocation is an injury he dealt with before when at Wisconsin. While line coach Mike Tice didn’t give a timetable for a return, Tice made it clear it won’t be soon.

“Gabe had a serious injury,” Tice said. “He’s had it before. Hopefully, it’s not going to be forever but it’s going to be an extended period of time. It’s unfortunate because he was really playing good football for us and now you’ve got to replace it. He’s an elite player, so you lost an elite player.”

Frank Omiyale will replace Carimi this week, but it sounds like it might be a one-week tryout before the Bears possibly consider another alignment. Right guard Lance Louis was limited with an ankle injury in practice Wednesday after missing the Saints game and sitting out all last week. It sounds like he could be a possibility at right tackle with Chris Spencer remaining at right guard. The Bears could also leave Omiyale at right tackle and put Louis back at right guard.

“This week Frank will be the guy (at right tackle),” Tice said. “We would like to get Lance back and get Lance in the mix. He was one of our starters in the first week because we felt like he was one of our five best linemen and we wanted him on the field and when Lance comes back we’ll find a place for Lance to play. He’ll play.”

Could Louis play this week?

“I don’t know,” Tice said. “He’s trying.”

Would Tice consider Louis somewhere other than right guard?

“You guys have been around me a year,” Tice said. “You know I’ll consider anything. I actually lost 12 pounds and I am trying my pads on tomorrow. I don’t know if I have anything in me but the national anthem but I’m certainly going to give it a whirl.”

Bears coach Lovie Smith said wide receiver Earl Bennett (chest) will not practice on Thursday.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,6245886.story