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Bears Center Hroniss Grasu Suffers Knee Injury

By Chris Emma--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Bears center Hroniss Grasu suffered an injury to his right knee at the team's Family Fest practice Saturday at Soldier Field.

Grasu, a second-year pro, was carted off the field. Bears coach John Fox didn't have details to provide in the immediate aftermath of the injury, but the injury occurred right in front of him.

"I don't know the extent of it," Fox said of the injury. "It looked fairly serious. But we won't really know until the medical people take a look at it."

The injury to Grasu occurred during the Bears' scrimmaging. Grasu went down without contact and was helped off the Soldier Field sod.

"It was non-contact," Fox said. "He was changing direction, and it didn't go well."

Team trainers were to Grasu's sides as he walked off to the sidelines under his own power. However, the cart would be called to help him off the field.

Grasu started eight games at center last season after taking over for veteran Will Montgomery, who suffered a season-ending knee injury. During this offseason, Grasu added size to bulk up to more than 300 pounds. He also spent time working to gain a better knowledge of the playbook.

Should Grasu miss an extended period of time, it's likely that rookie left guard Cody Whitehair will slide into the role of center, and veterans Ted Larsen or Amini Silatolu will work in at left guard.

The Bears are off Sunday before returning to work at Olivet Nazarene in Bourbonnais on Monday. Their final practice at their training camp home comes on Tuesday before returning to Halas Hall.

Updates to the extent of Grasu's injury are expected later.

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.

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