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Cameron WolfeESPN
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Chicago Bears suspect wide receiver Cameron Meredith injured his left ACL during the first quarter of Sunday’s preseason game at Tennessee, according to coach John Fox.
Meredith was carted off the field after being tackled low by safety Johnathan Cyprien at the end of a 16-yard reception. Meredith’s left leg twisted upon contact as he braced for the hit.
He was writhing in pain for a few minutes before being helped onto a cart with an air cast supporting his left leg.
“You feel bad, obviously,” Fox said. “He’s disappointed. He’ll bounce back.”
Fox said the team will know more about Meredith’s status following an MRI.
The Bears quickly ruled Meredith out for the game, which they won 19-7.
Meredith — a former undrafted free agent — led the Bears with 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns last year.
He had missed a portion of the Bears’ offseason program after tearing ligaments in his thumb, but the 6-foot-3 receiver returned for training camp and appeared to develop strong chemistry with starting quarterback Mike Glennon.
Losing Meredith for any extended period of time would be devastating for the Bears, who allowed receiver Alshon Jeffery to leave via free agency in the offseason. Chicago is also without veteran receiver Markus Wheaton, who is recovering from left finger surgery.
Bears long-snapper Patrick Scales also left Sunday’s game with a knee injury, which the team believes is serious, according to Fox.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara played one series before leaving with an injured ankle. He was on crutches after the game, as was Scales.
ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson and The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Philadelphia Eagles: Safety Malcolm Jenkins continued his protest by raising a fist over his head prior to the Eagles’ home game against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. Defensive end Chris Long, as he did last week prior to the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, kept his hand on Jenkins’ back for the entire playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and then Long gave him a hug when the song was over in a show of support. Safety Rodney McLeod put a hand on Jenkins’ shoulder as well. Cornerback Ron Brooks took a knee during the anthem for a second straight week. “Especially after Charlottesville, I couldn’t not do anything,” he said this week. Brooks joined Jenkins in raising a fist for multiple weeks last season before being sidelined with a ruptured quad tendon. He said he decided to take a knee rather than put a fist in the air because he believes it will offend less people, allowing more focus to be on the issue of social injustice rather than the form of protest. He told ESPN that he plans on demonstrating every week this season.
Cleveland Browns: Eleven Cleveland Browns players took a knee in a circle during the national anthem before Monday’s preseason game. While the group knelt behind the bench in front of the Gatorade buckets, several other players stood nearby and put their hands on a kneeling teammate’s shoulder in support.
Los Angeles Rams: Outside linebacker Robert Quinn raised his fist in the air during the national anthem Saturday, as he did in the first preseason game and throughout the 2016 regular season. Quinn spoke to new Rams coach Sean McVay about his intent beforehand, saying he wanted to express himself while respecting McVay’s wishes that everybody stand. “It’s not just a stance, but an appreciation to ancestors who made a way for, and gave opportunities for, me and others that came along the way,” Quinn told reporters earlier this week. “It’s more of an appreciation than a stance, that not all has been forgotten.” — Alden Gonzalez
Seattle Seahawks: For the second straight week, Michael Bennett sat for the national anthem. Seahawks center Justin Britt stood next to Bennett with his hand on Bennett’s right shoulder, and the two hugged after the anthem. Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane stood facing Bennett with his back to the flag and the field.– Sheil Kapadia
Tennessee Titans: Following the national anthem sung before the Titans’ game against the visiting Panthers on Saturday, defensive lineman Jurrell Casey and linebacker Wesley Woodyard raised their firsts in the air. Both Casey and Woodyard did the same last season.– Cameron Wolfe
Buffalo Bills: Bills offensive lineman Cameron Jefferson raised his fist during the anthem before their game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday. Jefferson said he was inspired to raise his fist after looking across the field at Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins doing the same during Thursday’s anthem. Bills coach Sean McDermott said Sunday he respects Jefferson’s decision. “What I want all of our players to understand is we are going to support them, No. 1,” McDermott said. “Everyone obviously has their view on things. I think the key word here is respect. We respect Cam’s opinion, we respect and acknowledge what’s going on. … Respect the situation, respect the communication end of things moving forward, and then respect the process of what’s going on in this country and in this world.”– Mike Rodak