Y'all, Crydell got benched because he's injured. Y'all make it sound like he got benched just so. Here's the story:
Injury sidelines QB Stewart
NFL.com wire reports
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (Oct. 15, 2003) -- Chris Chandler will start for the Chicago Bears against the Seahawks in Seattle, replacing Kordell Stewart, who has a leg injury.
Chandler, a 16-year veteran, practiced with the first team and coach Dick Jauron told him of his assignment at the end of practice.
Last season, Chandler completed 103 of 161 passes for 1,123 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions in relief of Jim Miller.
"I know this offense a lot better," Chandler said. "I feel a lot more comfortable with this offense than I did last year. So I just tried to get all my physical work in and just try to be ready for whatever opportunity comes."
The exact nature of Stewart's injury wasn't disclosed. Jauron and Stewart merely said only that his left leg was swollen.
Stewart said the injury happened two weeks ago in the Bears' 24-21 win over Oakland while he fell out of bounds. Stewart said he aggravated it in the 20-13 loss to New Orleans.
"It's a situation where I tweaked it a little bit," Stewart said.
Stewart has completed 75 of 144 passes for 745 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bears (1-4).
Jauron wouldn't speculate on what would have happened with the starting quarterback job this week had Stewart been healthy.
"It's a question that doesn't need to be answered, really," Jauron said. "The fact is that Kordell is hurt and Chris is playing this week."
Chandler may not be the only new face in the Bears' backfield. Running back Anthony Thomas has a sore foot and didn't practice.
Thomas has been listed as doubtful for the game and would be replaced by second-year player Adrian Peterson.