Bears notes: LB Nick Kwiatkoski among the latest injury victims

By Patrick Finley

Bears inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski makes a tackle Sunday. (AP)

TAMPA, Fla. — Starting for Jerrell Freeman, who tore his pectoral muscle in the season opener, Nick Kwiatkoski left in the first quarter with a pectoral injury. He’ll need further tests to evaluate the damage. Christian Jones replaced him in base coverage.

“We gotta see what’s wrong with Nick — it’s just assumptions right now,” Jones said. “If my name’s called, I’ll be ready.”

O-line injuries

The Bears lost two guards: Tom Compton and, even more importantly, Pro Bowl player Josh Sitton.

Sitton left in the second half with what the team called a ribs injury. Compton, who started for Kyle Long for the second straight week, had a hip problem.

When Cody Whitehair moved to guard, center Hroniss Grasu entered his first regular-season game since 2015.

“It’s been a long time,” Grasu said.

Gentry plays

Undrafted rookie receiver Tanner Gentry had two catches for 27 yards in his first career game — but was also flagged for unnecessary roughness on a kickoff return.

“I just blocked the guy late,” he said. “I didn’t see the signal for the touchback. I was just trying to play hard and make a block. I’ve got to be smarter.”

This and that

Receiver Markus Wheaton, recovering from pinkie surgery, was inactive. Cornerback Prince Amukamara and Benny Cunningham sat out with ankle injuries, too.

• Former Bears safety Chris Conte had seven tackles with one pass defended and an unnecessary roughness penalty.

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Email: pfinley@suntimes.com