Charles Tillman out indefinitely

[SportsWorld]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/fo ... 7777.story

One condition of all the optimism accompanying Jay Cutler and the Bears to training camp Thursday was the return of a hungry, healthy defense.

So much for healthy.

The Bears will start practice Friday without starting cornerback Charles Tillman, their most proven defensive back, who will be out indefinitely with a back injury, the Tribune has learned.

Tillman recently underwent an arthroscopic surgical procedure to clean up a disc in his back, a similar condition to one that caused him to miss the final two games of 2006. If the recovery goes well, the Bears expect Tillman to be back in time to play in the final preseason game Sept. 3 so he can see some action before the Sept. 13 season opener.

[ChronicKerr]

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/news/story?id=4360056


With camp set to open in just a few days, the Bears have suffered their first setback of the summer.

A league source tells ESPN 1000 and ESPNchicago.com that starting cornerback Charles Tillman will miss the beginning of training camp with an undisclosed injury that required surgery.

Tillman is expected to return before the start of the regular season, according to the source.

Chronic shoulder problems forced Tillman to undergo a reconstructive procedure on his right shoulder earlier this offseason, but he returned to action at the tail end of OTAs. The veteran also missed the final two regular-season games in 2006 with a back injury.

It's unknown what kind of impact this news will have on the Bears' secondary. The logical move may be for Lovie Smith to move Corey Graham back to corner and abandon the idea of sliding Graham inside to safety. Other possibilities include promoting promising second year player Zack Bowman, or perhaps turning to Danieal Manning, who started two games at right cornerback for the Bears in 2007.

Of the three, returning Graham to cornerback seems the most plausible.




I hope this is more just Tillman wanting to save himself for the season but this isn't good news for our secondary. Good thing we have depth I guess.

[chitownsports4ever]

%#@#%^T$$^$^ This puts even more pressure on Nathan " ill be ready on Sunday " Vasher




I believe in our depth . I believe in our depth , I believe in our depth

[Chewie]

New prediction : 4-12.

[SportsWorld]

Most reports say he should be back for the last preseason game but back injuries are horrible for football players. Isn't what this bothered Urlacher last year?

[emperorjones]

No worries. I hear Cutler played a little CB in pee wee football.

[Cliff Levingston]

Most reports say he should be back for the last preseason game but back injuries are horrible for football players. Isn't what this bothered Urlacher last year?

Two years ago most prominently, but Urlacher's was his neck while Tillman's appears to be his lower back. Cliff Levingston has lower back problems and those are no fun whatsoever. He'll need to work on flexibility and strengthening his core.

That D.J. Moore pick is looking that much better right about now.

[SLCceltic]

No worries. I hear Cutler played a little CB in pee wee football.

Lol

Just saw on ESPN that it will be 4-10 weeks............He'll be fine, not worried at all. Corners work in match-ups when playing a cover 1----no schemes really. In cover 2 he guards a gap, he'll be fine without practice; he's played in Lovie's D since Lovie got here. Cover three he guards a huge gap much deeper and keeps everything in front of him (prevent).

I play CB in Arena Football, I've been hurt and out of practice and been just fine. The position doesnt require as much preparation as LBs or Safeties or even the D-line to a lesser degree.

He'll be fresh and ready to go when the games count. The only worry is a full recovery.

[Darth Celtic]

why is chris mcalister still a free agent? dudes like been a top shut down corner for years and at 32 still has some downs left in him.

worth money spent to me, even if vasher has to be a nickle back.