Oct. 31--Bears center Hroniss Grasu remained intentionally vague regarding his limited participation in Friday's practice.
"I did what I could," the rookie said. "It felt good to be out there running around."
As for Grasu's continued push into the weekend to be ready to start Sunday against the Vikings despite a neck strain?
"I'll do what I can," he said.
For now, the Bears center officially is listed as questionable. But Grasu asserted after Friday's practice that he is "way more hopeful" to play Sunday than he was Thursday. The neck injury occurred, Grasu said, during practice Wednesday when he reached out for a block and felt a tweak despite absorbing no contact.
He missed the Bears' Thursday practice but has made a concerted effort to remain dialed in mentally with the offense's preparations and game planning.
If Grasu isn't able to play Sunday, Matt Slauson likely would start at center with Patrick Omameh likely to fill-in at left guard.
Still, Grasu is hoping his movement improves enough before Sunday to earn the green light.
"It felt good today," he said. "This is going to be a day-to-day thing. I've felt every day that it has been getting better. Hopefully I'll wake up (Saturday) morning and feel the same way."
dwiederer@tribpub.com
