Leonard Floyd able to travel with Bears after scary head, neck injury

By Rich Campbell for the Chicago Tribune.

The disappointment of another Bears defeat was compounded Sunday by another round of serious injuries to key players.

Four starters left and did not return to the 22-16 loss to the Giants. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (neck) and Zach Miller (broken right foot) were the most severely affected.

Floyd was released from the hospital Sunday evening, an uplifting development after a scary sequence in the fourth quarter. He traveled with the team back to Chicago.

Floyd dived headfirst into defensive end Akiem Hicks while trying to make a tackle. When the crown of Floyd’s helmet hit Hicks, his head and neck compressed. He fell to his hands and knees before trainers eased him to the ground. He stayed down for about eight minutes.

A group of medical personnel stabilized Floyd’s head and neck, turned him over and put him on a backboard. They also removed the face mask of his helmet. Bears players emptied off the sideline to wish him well as the cart drove away with him on board.

“He even shook my hand … and that’s what eased my mind,” outside linebacker Willie Young said.

“I just touched him on his leg and walked back off,” outside linebacker Pernell McPhee said. “All prayers go out to Leonard.”

Miller will miss the rest of the season after his foot was stepped on in the second quarter. He came to the sideline and threw his helmet in disgust.

“I think he kind of knew right away from experience,” coach John Fox said.

Miller suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury in his left foot in 2014. Although that diagnosis wasn’t revealed in this case, Miller is at least familiar with the physical and mental pain associated with a foot injury.

It was an especially disappointing turn for him after his 19-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive. And it further depletes a passing attack that’s already without suspended receiver Alshon Jeffery and injured wideout Kevin White (left leg).

Left guard Josh Sitton injured his right ankle in the third quarter and left the game. He initially suffered the injury against the Jaguars on Oct. 16 and missed two games. Eric Kush replaced him.

Cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc suffered a concussion on a missed tackle attempt in the first half. Demontre Hurst replaced him.

“Don’t let all these rule changes confuse you about the game of football,” Young said. “This is a very physical sport. It’s an eat-or-be-eaten kind of deal.”

Drop zone: The Bears are desperate for their young defensive backs to start making plays on the ball. So when Eli Manning floated a pass toward safety Adrian Amos in the red zone in the second quarter, it had the potential to be a meaningful moment in an otherwise dreary stretch of the season.

Amos got both hands on the ball, but he dropped it. Instead of Amos recording his first career interception, the Giants salvaged a field goal.

“Just concentrate on the ball,” Amos said. “Take your eye off the ball, seeing end zone.”

Extra points: Rookie safety Deon Bush made his first career start and played most of the game. Coaches had said he needed to improve his mental command of his responsibilities in order to earn playing time. … Nose tackle Eddie Goldman was inactive. He aggravated his sprained left ankle last Sunday against the Buccaneers and has missed seven of the last eight games. … Marquess Wilson had one catch for 35 yards on four targets in his season debut. … Deonte Thompson‘s 40-yard kickoff return in the first half was the Bears’ longest of the season.