Thread: Urlacher says knee 'is never going to be the same'

It sounds to me like this is our last year to watch Brian play. Enjoy it.

LINK to the article



Urlacher says knee
'is never going to be the same'



By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter 10:33 p.m. CDT, September 2, 2012

Brian Urlacher says his left knee is pain free and he intends to play Sunday when the Chicago Bears kick off the season against the Indianapolis Colts at Soldier Field.

But in an interview on Fox-32’s “The Final Word,” the 34-year-old middle linebacker acknowledged his knee “just isn’t the same anymore. It’s never going to be the same.”

Urlacher sat down with Lou Canellis for the interview and said he will get in as good of shape as possible this week when he returns to practice at Halas Hall. The Pro Bowl performer has not practiced since July 31 and he underwent arthroscopic surgery on the knee on Aug. 12. The Bears return to the practice field Monday and expectations are Urlacher will be on the field. Urlacher was not asked about the Tribune’s report that he sought an alternative treatment on his knee in Germany during the spring. He sprained two ligaments in the knee during the Bears’ season-ending victory at Minnesota on Jan. 1.

“The knee has been an issue, obviously, since last season,” Urlacher said. “Felt good going into training camp. I was excited about it. Then, I kind of aggravated my knee during training camp. Then I had surgery, a little minor surgery, and it feels good again now. That’s all that matters, I feel good going into the season.

“It feels much better now. I have been running around quite a bit, not with the team in practice, I have been taking it really slow like Coach (Lovie) Smith said we would. Everything they are going to let me do, I’ll do. There is going to be some restrictions on what I can do because they don’t want to overwork me too early. It’s a long season. There will be some restrictions but there won’t be restrictions in the game on Sunday.”

Urlacher reiterated he will be in the lineup against the Colts.

“I’m playing Sunday,” he said. “That’s a done deal. I think Lovie said it a month ago, Sept. 9.”

He doesn’t have concern the knee will flare up during practice this week. The Bears will have full practices Monday, Wednesday and Thursday and a light session Friday before a walk-through on Saturday.

“It’s been fine when I’ve been doing all the drills and stuff we’d be doing in practice normally,” Urlacher said. “I just don’t seem to be getting overworked. Sept. 9 I will be there dressed out in my pads and helmet and everything, ready to play football.”

Some have suggested Urlacher should rest during Week 1 so he can play in the Week 2 game Thursday, Sept. 13 at Green Bay on a short week.

“I heard that too,” he said. “I don’t see why. We have a day off Monday (Sept. 10) and our practices before that game will be quick anyway. There is not a whole lot that is going to happen. We already have our gameplan in, I think. Because we play Green Bay twice a year, we know what they’re doing, they know what we’re doing. There shouldn’t be a whole lot of gameplanning going on.

“If I can play, I’m gonna play. If I can’t run, I’m hurting the team if I am out there not being able to do what I am normally able to do. I wouldn’t do that, plus I am hurting myself. If it hurts, I won’t be out there. But there is no pain right now.”

Urlacher admits there is no way he can get in top football shape with just one week to prepare.

“There is no way,” he said. “I will be as close to it as I can be. I have been doing some things. I’ve been in the pool, I have been running with our trainers and stuff on the side. But it’s hard to get in shape in a week of practice, it’s not possible. But I will get as close as I can to it.”

The setback with the knee after a week of training camp has forced him to admit the future is uncertain. He is entering the final year of his contract and before this issue became front and center for the club, the Bears made it clear they would wait to address his situation until after the season.

“This is the last year of my deal. Whatever happens, happens,” Urlacher said. “I’m going to play the best I can this year and hopefully I can stay healthy, play 16 games and then whatever we have in the playoffs. Then, we’ll approach it after that. I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘I want to play four more years’ right now. Because before my knee was hurt (in training camp), I thought I could play four more. My knee just isn’t the same anymore. It’s never going to be the same.”