Thread: Podlesh Injury May Keep Him Out For a While.........

Podlesh injury leaves Bears with only rookie at punter

Quigley will get shot Friday before club goes over options if hip problem proves serious

Bears punter Adam Podlesh was injured chasing down Redskins receiver Brandon Banks. (Brian Cassella/Tribune photo / August 21, 2012)

By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter 9:43 p.m. CDT, August 21, 2012


Adam Podlesh's hip flexor is a "bad injury" that could force the Bears to make a roster move before the regular season.

Undrafted rookie Ryan Quigley will handle punting duties Friday against the Giants and the Bears will consider their options soon afterward when they hope to know more about Podlesh, who is scheduled to see some specialists.

His injury occurred when he tried to run down the Redskins' Brandon Banks on a 91-yard touchdown return Saturday night at Soldier Field. Podlesh was at practice Tuesday but did not participate.

"I am very concerned," special teams coordinator Dave Toub said. "It's a bad injury for a punter to have."

Podlesh's injury is to his left hip and that is not as concerning as it would be if it was on his right side because he kicks with his right leg. But it's still troubling and that it what led the team to bring in Matt Dodge, who punted for the Giants in 2010, for a tryout Tuesday. The plan right now is to evaluate Quigley and it would not be surprising if the Bears brought in multiple punters for tryouts next week depending on how the rookie from Boston College performs.

"This is going to be a good test for him," Toub said. "We'll see if he can handle it."

Podlesh became the first punter in franchise history to complete a season with a net average greater than 40 yards. He replaced veteran Brad Maynard, who was with the team for 10 seasons and has the third-most punts in NFL history. Maynard, 38, played for the Browns last season and had a tryout with the Eagles last month.

But if a vested veteran like Maynard is on the roster in Week 1, he can claim for termination pay if he is cut. Therefore, the Bears could be on the hook for a full season of pay to Maynard or a similarly experienced punter even if they kept him on the roster for only one or two weeks. That's an expensive short-term rental.

"We'll figure out what we need to do," Toub said.

Does Toub want Podlesh and kicker Robbie Gould trying to make plays in the open field in exhibitions?

"Yes," he said. "Adam was just competing. Next year I might (tell them not to)."

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs