McMahon Slips, Aggravates Injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon slipped on an icy ramp heading for the practice field Wednesday, aggravating a hamstring pull and making his status doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks at Chicago.

“I couldn’t even get out of the locker room today without aggravating it,” McMahon said of the hamstring injury he first suffered in a Dec. 6 game against Minnesota.

“As I was walking out the door, I slipped on the wet stuff and aggravated it pretty good. . . . The way it feels now, I wouldn’t bet on my playing Sunday.”

McMahon indicated that he might seek out acupuncturist Hiroshi Shiriashi, who treated McMahon and wide receiver Willie Gault during the team’s 1985 Super Bowl campaign.

But McMahon’s injury wasn’t the only bad news. The Bears, their pride stung by a 41-0 pounding administered by San Francisco in a nationally televised game Monday night, also learned that center Jay Hilgenberg may require shoulder surgery and be lost for the season. A decision will be made today.

“It does look pretty dark up here right now,” tackle Dan Hampton said. “But there’s been a lot of speculation about the Bears’ character over the year, and we’re still 10-3, not 3-10.

“A lot of people are throwing dirt on top of the coffin, and I have to believe that we like it like that,” he added. “It seems like the Bears always play best when our backs are against the wall.”