Bears Lose McMahon for Three Weeks

Quarterback Jim McMahon will be lost to the Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears for at least three weeks because of a separated right shoulder.

McMahon suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 41-31 victory over Cleveland Browns in the NFL season opener when Browns’ defensive end Reggie Camp fell on him.

“He did not dislocate it,” Bear trainer Fred Caito said. “He will miss about three weeks.”

Caito said X-rays were negative, and that McMahon has movement of his right (throwing) arm.

Coach Mike Ditka said Mike Tomczak, a second-year pro, will start Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“Three weeks is optimistic,” Ditka said. “If he can pop it (the ball) in three weeks, he’ll be back in there.”

“Hopefully, we’re not a team that depends on one man that much. But so much revolves around the quarterback. Jim is not injury prone, it’s just that crazy things happen to him.”

McMahon has a history of injuries, but in games he has started, the Bears have a 27-4 record.

Last year, he missed three games with shoulder tendinitis. In 1984, he missed seven games. He suffered a hairline fracture of the right hand in the second game. Upon returning, he suffered a lacerated kidney against the Raiders on Nov. 4 and was out for the rest of the season.

McMahon also missed most of the exhibition season this year with a hip flexor injury, which gave Tomczak a chance to gain experience.

“Why does all this have to happen to me?” McMahon asked after Sunday’s game.