[CBFF] Benson X-Rays are...

[Jerry Madsen]

Bears: Benson X-rays negative
By K.C. Johnson
Tribune staff reporter

August 5, 2006, 1:42 PM CDT

BOURBONNAIS -- Wearing a black harness and a weary look, Bears running back
Cedric Benson said Saturday that he isn't sure how long his left shoulder
injury will sideline him.

The Bears said X-rays were negative and further tests would be conducted
soon to determine the length of his absence and the extent of the injury.
During Friday's second practice session, Benson took hits from Brian
Urlacher and Mike Brown as he ran with a completed pass from Rex Grossman.
The hits didn't knock over Benson, but then he knelt on the ground. A cart
was used to carry him off the field.

Benson said he doesn't believe it is a separation and reminded everyone that
he is a fast healer who came back from a sprained knee ligament last season.

"I'm doing pretty good," Benson said. "I don't think it's nothing severe.
Everything seems good. I did a little treatment this morning and was moving
it around. I felt pretty strong. I just feel really sore today."

Benson is almost certain to miss Friday's preseason opener in San Francisco.

Benson also eloquently addressed questions about if the defense is singling
him out for hitting because he missed training camp last season. He is
hopeful he is earning their respect.

"Initially you tend to think bad things," Benson said. "You start to wonder
why they hit you or if they were looking to hit you. But we watched the film
and stuff and I definitely don't think they were trying to hit me or nothing
like that. It was basically what we do every day in practice. I think it was
a combination of bad timing, where I got hit and bad luck."

Copyright (c) 2006, The Chicago Tribune <http://www.chicagotribune.com/>


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