Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
Are there any updates on the injuries the Bears suffered in Sunday's win over the Buccaneers, specifically to Lance Briggs and Kyle Fuller?
Ken T.
Racine, Wisconsin
Bears coach Marc Trestman did not provide much information about the injuries Monday, saying only that "it's an ongoing situation" when asked about the status of linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Kyle Fuller. But because the Bears play on Thursday this week, they were required to submit an injury report even though they didn't practice. Had they practiced Monday, Briggs and Fuller would have been unable to participate along with five others: guard Brian de la Puente (ankle), defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (knee), defensive end Trevor Scott (knee), linebacker Darryl Sharpton (hamstring) and receiver Chris Williams (hamstring). Receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle) and safety Brock Vereen (shoulder) would have been limited.
Why did the Bears decline the penalty against the Buccaneers on the last play of the first half? Couldn't they have made them kick off the ball again?
Michael K.
Schaumburg, Illinois
No, the Bears could not have forced the Buccaneers to kick the ball again. Their only option was accepting the 15-yard penalty after the kickoff return, which only reached the 11. So they would have had one untimed down from the 26. Asked Monday why he chose to decline the penalty, coach Marc Trestman said: "I just thought it was in the best interest of our team at that point in time to not go into one play from the 26-yard line. I thought it was in the best interest of our team to get off the field, get into the locker room and move forward with the day."
When was the last time two straight Bears games ended with the same final score?
Christopher T.
Rhode Island
The last time it happened before the last two games, the Bears won the NFL championship. (OK, I know I'm reaching!) It was late in the 1963 season and the Bears tied the Steelers 17-17 on Nov. 24 and repeated the same result a week later against the Vikings. The Bears finished 11-1-2 that season and defeated the New York Giants 14-10 in the title game at Wrigley Field.
