Commentary

Bears' Tinoisamoa returns after injury

Updated: October 7, 2009, 4:30 PM ET
By Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa returned to practice Wednesday after suffering what the team called a sprained PCL in his right knee at the start of the season-opening loss at Green Bay.

Turns out the injury was more serious -- Tinoisamoa actually tore the ligament.

"I tore the PCL," he said. "There was nothing holding it from going back and moving around. I was like, you know what, this isn't good.

"I just had to get comfortable with my knee and the movement that I do. The position we play is a pretty athletic one, and you're going against athletes, so you can't go out there with one and a half knees."

Given that Tinoisamoa suffered a complete tear, it's surprising he's in a position to play when the Bears return from their bye October 18 at Atlanta.

"Fortunately, being Samoan, we get big legs and big calves," laughed Tinoisamoa. "I was born with this stuff. I was real fortunate, very."

Meantime, Devin Hester also appears to be on the mend, after "straining a muscle in his neck" during Sunday's victory against Detroit.

"I'm just in the process of resting it, trying to recover from the game," said Hester. "I'll be ready for the Atlanta Falcons game."

Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com.

Jeff Dickerson | email

Chicago Bears beat reporter
Dickerson has been the Bears beat reporter for ESPN Chicago since 2004. He also hosts weeknight radio shows on ESPN 1000.

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