Grossman has chance to start at QB for Bears

Nov 13, 2007 - 6:29 AM LAKE FOREST, Illinois (Ticker) - An injury to Brian Griese may enable Rex Grossman to reclaim his starting quarterback job with the Chicago Bears.

Coach Lovie Smith was non-committal as to naming a starter for Sunday's games against the Seattle Seahawks, primarily due to the questions surrounding Griese's health.

Griese suffered what Smith termed a sprained left shoulder when he was sacked and driven to the ground by Oakland Raiders linebacker Kirk Morrison with 1:32 left in the first half.

"I don't know what his situation is right now," Smith said. "Whenever you don't finish the game, you are concerned about it. I don't know if he'll practice Wednesday, if he'll be able to go this weekend or anything like that."

Grossman stepped in and provided some late theatrics, throwing a 59-yard go-ahead touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian with 3:11 left to play in Chicago's 17-6 victory.

"Brian did some good things when he was in the football game," Smith said. "It's unfortunate that he went down with the shoulder injury. But you need the next guy in the rotation ready to go.

"I really like what Rex Grossman was able to do when he stepped in and led us to the victory there at the end of the game."

Grossman, who was benched following a 34-10 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week Three, finished 7-of-14 for 142 yards and the TD.

"It's a great feeling," Grossman said. "It's one of those things that you hope comes around but you don't hope it's an injury. You just want to get back in there."

Smith said he'll wait to see how Griese feels Wednesday before making any decision on a starter.

"Well, first off, Brian needs to get cleared medically, and if he's cleared medically, then we'll go from there," he said.