Bears Blitz

Brandon Marshall Injury: Updates on Bears WR’s Hip, Potential Return Date

Published by Ryan Rudnansky on August 30, 2013
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

After a firestorm of drama concerning Chicago Bears receiver Brandon Marshall‘s hip injury, “Machine Marshall” himself confirmed that he would play in Week 1.

Marshall tweeted:

UPDATE: Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 8:55 a.m. ET

Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com confirms Brandon Marshall participated in practice yesterday:

Brandon Marshall returned to practice for the Chicago Bears on Monday after leaving the team last week for a follow-up exam on his surgically repaired hip.

Wright also passed along a statement from the Bears’ star wide receiver:

‘I’m always concerned about my body,’ Marshall said Monday. ‘It doesn’t matter if it’s a little scratch, I’m always concerned. So coming off my third surgery, structurally, everything is good. After a few surgeries, I think that’s protocol for checkups…’

… Marshall said doctors told him that structurally his hip ‘is great’ and in ‘great shape.’

—End of update—

UPDATE: Monday, Sept. 2, at 1:20 p.m. ET

From the Chicago Bears:

From Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times:

—End of update—

This was in the midst of a whole lot of commotion.

It was reported by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday that Marshall would be taking a four-day leave of absence. Head coach Marc Trestman cited “personal reasons,” according to the report.

Then it was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN that Marshall didn’t feel the Bears were taking his hip injury seriously enough.

Then it was reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com that the “personal reasons” were actually a “previously scheduled follow-up appointment after offseason hip surgery.”

So, despite all of that, Marshall plans on playing in Week 1.

Marshall missed the Bears’ final preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday. The 29-year-old caught four balls for 38 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ second preseason game against the San Diego Chargers.

The Bears play the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Week 1. The Bengals ceded just 6.7 yards per pass attempt last season (ninth in the NFL) while giving up just 16 passing touchdowns (ranked fourth).

They also posted 51 sacks (third in the NFL). Cincinnati’s stingy defense should be a challenge for Jay Cutler, Marshall and Co.

Last season, Marshall caught 118 balls for 1,508 yards and 11 touchdowns on 194 targets. He ranked second in the NFL in targets along with the Indianapolis Colts‘ Reggie Wayne.

You would think Cutler will spread the ball around more this season—given the addition of former New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett and the strides second-year receiver Alshon Jeffery has made—but it’s likely Marshall will still receive a heavy dose of targets.

Marshall’s played through injury throughout his NFL career—only missing five games in seven years—so his hip injury shouldn’t be that much of a concern at this point.