Bears fullback Rodriguez back in action
Injured knee feels better, so he could play against Lions on Monday night
By Vaughn McClure, Chicago Tribune reporter
7:59 p.m. CDT, October 15, 2012
Fullback Evan Rodriguez returned to practice Monday for the first time since spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee against the Rams.
Coach Lovie Smith hinted last week Rodriguez would be back for Monday night's game against the Lions.
"I am well rested and the knee feels much better,'' Rodriguez said. "I should be back this week. Right now, I am day-to-day. I've just got to get my wind back, but it feels good.''
Rodriguez was drafted as a tight end but switched to fullback for the start of the season. He did an exceptional job as a lead blocker before suffering the injury.
New face: Speaking of clearing holes, newly signed tight end Brody Eldridge said he is known for being a solid blocker. And with Kellen Davis, Matt Spaeth and Kyle Adams already in the tight end mix, the 6-foot-5, 265-pound Eldridge is more than willing to compete with Rodriguez at fullback.
"I hope to get into the backfield and play a little fullback," Eldridge said. "I haven't done that since college, but that's something that I enjoy. So we'll see. The tight ends here look like they do every position, so it will be fun.''
The former fifth-round pick of the Colts relishes the opportunity to return to the field, period. Eldridge started 16 games in two seasons in Indianapolis before being claimed by the Rams off waivers. Eldridge was with the Rams this preseason but was suspended for the first four games of the regular season after violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Eldridge said he took his wife's prescription of Adderall. He did not expand on why he used the drug.
"It's been nerve-wracking," Eldridge said. "Obviously, I had the suspension. St. Louis released me. It was tough, but it's behind me now. Chicago's giving me this opportunity, so I'm going to make the most of it."
The Bears waived running back Kahlil Bell to make room for Eldridge.
Out of action: The Bears won't have to prepare for Jahvid Best this week. The Lions announced the running back won't be cleared to play at this time as he continues to recover from a second concussion, suffered last October. Best's season and career might be in doubt.
Bears safety Chris Conte was Best's teammate in college at California.
"I roomed with him my freshman year and Jahvid is a great kid,'' Conte said Monday. "That's terrible news to hear. I know he had a bad concussion at Cal and a lot of us were worried about his health then. For the long-term, this might be best for him.''
Best ran for a career-high 163 yards on 12 carries — including an 88-yard touchdown run — in the Lions' 24-13 win over the Bears at Ford Field last season.
Extra points: Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (fractured hand) and special teamers Blake Costanzo (thumb surgery) and Sherrick McManis (hip) did not practice Monday. Costanzo had six stitches removed from his thumb last Friday and he expects to return to practice this Friday. ... The Bears worked out former Colts cornerback Justin King, according to a source. He was a fourth-round pick of the Rams in 2008.
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