WR Johnny Knox to start season on PUP list
BY JOE COWLEY jcowley@suntimes.com July 25, 2012 8:58PM
Bears receivers Johnny Knox (L) and Devin Hester are on the field before the Chicago Bears lost 38-14 to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday December 18, 2011 at Soldier Field. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
Updated: August 27, 2012 11:16AM
BOURBONNAIS — Injured wide receiver Johnny Knox isn’t in a position to promise much of anything, but he insisted Wednesday he would be back to 100 percent at some point.
‘‘Most definitely I will,’’ Knox said.
The problem is, no one — including Knox — can say when that will be.
Knox suffered a fractured vertebra Dec. 18 of last season. Because of the seriousness of the injury, he is just starting to lift weights to get his strength back. He also is doing some light jogging.
‘‘There’s really no timetable,’’ said Knox, who learned Wednesday he would start the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list. ‘‘We’re all taking our time on this. They’re not rushing me, I’m not rushing myself. This was a serious
injury, so we’re all taking our time on this.
‘‘Each day I get better. Each week I get better. I improve in different things. I’m getting stronger all around.’’
As training camp opens, Knox is about 30 pounds lighter than his playing weight and has a long way to go to get back on the field.
‘‘Right now, I’m just setting small goals,’’ Knox said. ‘‘At first I knew it was going to be hard to run, but I’m running better now. I’m running better than I thought I would.’’
Finally, football
After reporting Tuesday and attending meetings Wednesday, the Bears will practice for the first time at 2 p.m. Thursday at Olivet Nazarene. The practice, which will be without pads, is open to the public. Admission
is free.
Promises, promises
Devin Hester, who had only 26 receptions and one touchdown last season, might blossom in coordinator Mike Tice’s offense.
‘‘This is an offense that I think fits me,’’ Hester said. ‘‘We’ve got a nice quick [passing] game coming along, as well as deep going down the field. If guys stack the box with the great running backs we have, it’s going to open it up for the receivers.’’
Contributing: Mark Potash
