The Chicago Bears may have lost their first preseason game last night 25-10 to the San Diego Chargers, but they’ve also lost four key players: Craig Steltz, safety (ankle), Major Wright, safety (finger), Hunter Hillenmeyer, linebacker (foot) and Caleb Hanie, quarterback (shoulder). None returned to the game.
Steltz, who started in place of [Danieal] Manning, was injured in the first quarter while covering a kickoff. He was replaced on defense by Wright, who exited in the second half after recording seven tackles, which tied him for the team lead with linebacker Kevin Malast.
Coach Lovie Smith said he liked what Wright’s done through training camp, and liked Wright’s tackle on Ryan Mathews last night before getting injured. The goal is to get him back into the game as soon as possible.
Hillenmeyer limped off the field after tackling Mathews on a three-yard run on fourth-and-one late in the first half.
Hanie was injured midway through the third quarter when he was sacked from behind by linebacker Antwan Applegate. The 6-3, 258-pounder had a head of steam when he drilled the backup quarterback.
The four injured players join tight end Brandon Manumaleuna (knee), receiver Earl Bennett (hamstring) and linebacker Brian Iwuh (knee), who did not dress for last night’s game.