Hroniss Grasu suffers torn ACL and will miss season

ByJEFF DICKERSON
August 8, 2016, 2:20 PM

— -- Chicago Bears starting center Hroniss Grasu has a torn ACL in his right knee and is done for the season, coach John Fox said Monday.

Grasu suffered a noncontact injury that required him to leave Saturday's practice at Soldier Field on a cart.

"It's a punch in the gut," Fox said.

Grasu, a 2015 third-round pick, had enjoyed a solid training camp prior to Saturday's incident.

Fox altered the schedule for the team's annual Family Fest practice last year, holding a 36-play live scrimmage. It was during such a scrimmage Saturday when Grasu crumpled to the turf as he attempted to block downfield on a screen pass to running back Jacquizz Rodgers.

Grasu started eight games for the Bears as a rookie last season.

"I've played with a lot of guys and he's one of my favorites, even in the short amount of time I've known him," quarterback Jay Cutler said. 

"I had a hard time with [the news] yesterday and I think guys are still feeling the effects today. He's everything you talk about when you talk about a team guy. I dealt with him on a day-to-day basis and he worked so hard to get to this point. But unfortunately things like this happen. We've got to move on."

Fox has options at center. Veteran Ted Larsen and 2016 second-round pick Cody Whitehair have worked some at the position in the offseason and in the early stages of camp.

Larsen has started games before at center when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and took Grasu's spot at center on Monday.

"Ted is a professional," Cutler said. "Ted stepped in today and worked with me and the first team and we didn't miss a beat. We're going to be fine there. Ted will step in and do a good job for us."

"You guys have seen all the people that have played there," Fox said. "It's not like we have only one. We adjust. That's what you do."