Bears' Lamarr Houston knows NFL-wide knee woes

DAY 21

ACL

The Cowboys’ Orlando Scandrick became the 25^th NFL to tear his ACL on Tuesday, and the season hasn’t even started yet.

“Holy crap,” Lamarr Houston said. “I knew it was a lot.”

Houston has found himself paying attention to the injury, league-wide, since tearing his knee last October.

The outside linebacker credits knee injuries to “more freak accidents than anything else,” though the total is about in line with recent preseasons.

Houston said his knee felt fine Sunday, the morning after he appeared in his first game. He practiced all week.

Despite injuries around the league, Houston doesn’t think there are too many preseason games.

”To be fair to guys who are getting an opportunity to make the squad,” he said. “And you have guys who are trying to get ready for the season, who are preparing.”

Hang in there

Bears wide receiver Josh Bellamy was visually upset Thursday when he dropped a surefire touchdown pass during practice at Halas Hall.

When he walked back toward the group, he was met by tight end Martellus Bennett, who gave him some encouragement, telling him to move on to the next play.

The tight end then knelt alongside Bellamy — who is fighting for a receiver job with so many hurt — and chatted while they watched drills.

Injury watch

The Bears’ injured players remained out of practice Thursday: safety Ryan Mundy (hip), tight end Chris Pantale (illness) and wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (calf), Marquess Wilson (hamstring) and receiver Eddie Royal (hip).