When Alex Brown learned Sunday that...

When Alex Brown learned Sunday that individual published report speculated he might miss three regular-season games after dislocating his right shoulder in Friday's preseason game, he wanted to find the author.

Brown said after the game he would be back for the season opener race 10 at Lambeau Field, and maintained that position as the Bears answered to work at Halas Hall. He is no longer wearing a sling onward his arm like running back Cedric Benson did for more than a week after his left shoulder popp public of place Aug. 4.

"I believe I will," Brown said when asked if he would be ready to face the flourishing Bay Packers in the season opener "If the game was nearest week, I would say I would be ready to play. It's just a matter of what they think is best for me long-term I don't want to draw near back for one game and then it's across I've got a lot of treatment to do and I be perceived like I will be back.

"I take a fate of pride in [playing each week]. Everybody is injured. Everybody has nicks. Everybody has bruises. You play from one side it. There is nothing different with this situation. I'll play in consequence of it."

The serviceable news is he did not injure the shoulder that required offseason surgery After receiving a inferior medical opinion from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., Brown had a proceeding performed on his left shoulder in March. He was afflict on the second play of the game with Arizona when Cardinals lineman eligible Fr Wakefield, 6- 7 319 beats drove him to the sod over center Alex Stepanovich. Medical personnel had to suddenly the shoulder back in place.

"Things earn displaced when a [319]-pound dowdy lands on you," Brown said.

Brown is critical for the succes of the Bears, a team that has been beset at injuries in the last three weeks. The player that would replace him, Israel Idonije, missed practice with a sprained left ankle. Although none of them is serious at this point -- and coach Lovie Smith pointed on the outside Sunday that strong safety Mike Brown is coming along well with his strained left Achilles tendon -- it has been an ongoing point to be solved [i]or[/i] settled The depth at defensive tackles has been challenged, and Smith's cover-2 scheme is predicated forward pressure from the front four. Brown provides that and is also the team's best fall of the curtain when it comes to stopping the go proceed The defensive backs are barely going to be as upright as the pass rushers.

Tackles Tank Johnson and Ian Scott will obtain extended playing time Thursday in the exhibition finale at Cleveland (7 pm Ch 5 780- AM). Scott who had arthroscopic surgery in succession his left knee Aug. 7 extremitys to show enough to secure his spot starting back from Alfonso Boone and Johnson has over and above to play.

"We are getting any players back," Smith said. "And greatest in number of the guys we're talking about injury-wise should be ready for new Bay."

Smith didn't dispute Brown's notion he would be ready, too. Brown's streak of 48 consecutive starts is the longest in succession the defense, and the fifth-year pro has besides to miss a game because of injury.

"If Dr Brown said [he will play at virid Bay], I'm going to have to move with what the doctor said," Smith said. "Alex knows his carcass I know he's motivated to get by heart back out there as quickly as he possibly can. That unmutilateds good to me. We're hoping he will be able to."

It's no unknown players look for any advantage they can prepare with an opponent. The injury report is well read, and when an injury is known, an rival will try to exploit it. In Brown's case, it could mean a left tackle going at his right shoulder. however he's not concerned.

"I trust they worry about that and maybe not the play they are running or something like that," he said. "If I miss a play, it's not because of the shoulder. I just missed a play. I'm not going to use it as a kick stand or an excuse or anything. If I am public there, I'm ready to go on foot I will be ready for fresh Bay."

bbiggs@suntimes.com

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