Muffs almost led to change
Consecutive muffed punts by returner Marc Mariani in the first quarter Sunday against the Vikings nearly led to a change.
“Consideration? Yeah,” specialteams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said after practice Thursday at Halas Hall. “We never got to that. We have several guys on our team that we feel like can do a good job in that area.”
One option would have been veteran receiver Eddie Royal, but he injured his left knee in the second quarter before the Vikings punted again.
“Sometimes it’s a matter of taking a rep off,” Rodgers said. “A lot of people talk about quarterbacks, young quarterbacks, ‘Hey, let’s sit there and watch a series.’ You don’t try to mess with your returner all that much.”
Rodgers still has confidence in Mariani, who continued to handle kickoffs against the Vikings despite his issues with punts. Rodgers cited the wind at Soldier Field and the differences in handling a left-footed punter as reasons for his struggles.
“A little bit of traffic on the first one,” Rodgers said. “The second one, I think it just moved on him late.”
This season, Mariani has returned 13 punts for 98 yards and 12 kickoffs for 310 yards. Mariani fumbled three times on 87 total returns in 2010 and once on 78 in 2011 with the Titans.
“Marc is a very confident fielder of the ball,” Rodgers said. “His history has been very good in terms of ball security. We have a lot of confidence in Marc going forward.”
Fox on Forte
Coach John Fox did not provide any details on running back Matt Forte’s injury situation.
“You know me and chances and timelines,” Fox said laughing. “I can’t determine that. It is truly day-to-day.”
Forte (right knee) didn’t practice Thursday and isn’t expected to play against the Chargers.
Fox said he expects Forte to help rookie running back Jeremy Langford and others in their game preparations.
“Matt’s a leader on this football team,” Fox said. “He was voted captain offensively, and he’s been that kind of guy I think even before I got here. He’s definitely been that guy since we’ve been here, and I think he’ll continue to do that.”
Injury report
Royal, center Hroniss Grasu (neck) and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee) did not practice. Linebacker Shea McClellin (knee), left tackle Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), receiver Cameron Meredith (ankle) and linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (knee) were limited. Nickel back Bryce Callahan is going through concussion protocol and participated in limited fashion.
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