Why Bears' defensive run appears over 
September, 15, 2009
09/15/09
6:47
PM ET
End of Bears' defense run: The loss of linebacker Brian Urlacher for the season with a wrist injury is the official sign the Bears' run with their core defense is just about over. Defensive lineman Tommie Harris hasn't been the same because of knee problems the past couple of years. Cornerbacks Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman have fought injuries the past couple of seasons. Safety Mike Brown is gone. Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye is older. Linebacker Lance Briggs is still in his prime, but the six-year run of having a great defense is starting to hit the wall. With games coming against the Steelers and Seahawks, the Bears must worry about getting off to an 0-3 start.
L.T's injury: Don't expect the Chargers to push LaDainian Tomlinson (left ankle) to carry as much of the offense if he is able to play Sunday. They'll mix in Darren Sproles more in the running back rotation if LT is active. They'll also put running back Michael Bennett on the 45-man active list. San Diego's bigger worry is an offensive line that lost center Nick Hardwick and guard Louis Vasquez to injuries Monday night against the Raiders. Each is very questionable this week. Tomlinson will probably be questionable this week, and he's definitely going to miss practice time.
Sigh of relief: The Cardinals must be relieved that the NFL, according to sources, isn't going to levy a one-game suspension of safety Adrian Wilson for his huge hit on 49ers tight end Vernon Davis on Sunday. Wilson drew a penalty on the play, and he figures to get a hefty fine. With the season-opening loss to the 49ers, the Cardinals need their defensive leader to help prevent a horrible start.
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John Clayton
John Clayton is a senior writer at ESPN.com. He brought his vast NFL knowledge -- and prodigious list of contacts -- to ESPN in 1995 after a long career covering the NFL as a newspaper reporter in Pittsburgh and Seattle. His presence across the network is ubiquitous, from ESPN.com and "SportsCenter" to ESPN Radio and ESPN The Magazine.
Clayton was inducted into the writers' wing of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. A 1976 graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, he was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 2001.
