The last time the Bears faced the San Diego Chargers in the regular season, they limped out of Qualcomm Stadium following the 2007 season opener having lost two defensive starters for the season.
Safety Mike Brown and tackle Dusty Dvoracek were both lost to knee injuries, and ominous beginning what at the time was the defending NFC champions.
No starters appeared to sustain any serious injuries Saturday night in a 25-10 loss to the Chargers in the preseason opener. But more Bears returned with bumps and bruises than the team would like.
Backup quarterback Caleb Hanie, who once again showed the ability to make plays with his legs, left with his right arm in a sling to protect his injured shoulder.
Photo: Major Wright tackles Chargers RB Ryan Mathews. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)
Hanie will have to be evaluated and depending on the results, the Bears will have to seek a short or longterm solution after rookie Dan LeFevour performed like you would expect someone to that had received next to no time in practice.
Rookie safety Major Wright said he was due to have X-rays on the index finger of his left hand. He wasn't certain when he injured himself and said it wasn't major. Still, if something is broken he might need to be shut down for a short while at a time when he looks to be closing in on a starting job. Who would have figured a small hand injury would cost Brian Urlacher 15 games last season?
Veteran safety Craig Steltz, who started the game in place of Danieal Manning (hamstring), left Qualcomm with a walking boot to protect his injured ankle. As coach Lovie Smith says, it's never a good thing when a player cannot finish the game. Steltz will be evaluated.
Hunter Hillenmeyer, the only true reserve middle linebacker on the roster, was sidelined with a foot injury. He's been pretty durable during his career and was able to walk off the field on his own power but it's another situation that needs to be monitored.
Long snapper Pat Mannelly sustained a shoulder injury making a tackle but continued and said afterward that he was fine.
The Bears return to practice at 3 p.m. Monday in Bourbonnais.
