It's a big headache--and much more  Hillenmeyer aware caution is
critical in treating a concussion  September 21, 2006|BY DAVID
HAUGH.  When Bears coach Lovie Smith wanted to talk to Hunter
Hillenmeyer last week, the linebacker braced himself for another
blow--this one to his psyche.  Hillenmeyer already had suffered
a concussion that knocked him out of the season opener against
Green Bay in the second quarter, and now he wondered if he had
let Smith down because his stay on the sidelines extended into a
second game.  After all, nothing about Hillenmeyer looked hurt
yet he remained on the team's injury list. That can be a sure
way for an NFL player to stay on a different sort of list with
his head coach.  "A coach usually wants players who are willing
to suck it up and play," said Hillenmeyer. He practiced
Wednesday and expects to start at strong-side linebacker Sunday
against the Minnesota Vikings.  Hillenmeyer had hoped to return
against Detroit, but team doctors put him on a safer, slower
road to recovery