Hall of Famer Mike Ditka has suffered a minor stroke, according to an ESPN producer.
ESPN’s Seth Markman posted on Twitter that the former Bears coach and player fell ill yesterday and will not appear on the network’s NFL shows this weekend.
Markman wrote Ditka “wanted everyone to know he’s ok.”
Ditka, 73, told the Chicago Tribune he was feeling “good right now and it’s not a big deal.” He was playing cards at a suburban Chicago country club when he noticed his hands “weren’t working quite right,” and he then started having difficulty speaking.
BEARS: Quarterback Jay Cutler will miss Monday’s game at San Francisco because of a concussion. Veteran Jason Campbell will start in Cutler’s place.
49ERS: While coach Jim Harbaugh returned to work a day after undergoing a procedure for an irregular heartbeat, San Francisco could be without starting quarterback Alex Smith, who suffered a concussion last week.
EAGLES: Quarterback Michael Vick (concussion) will miss tomorrow’s game vs. the Redskins. Rookie Nick Foles will get his first NFL start.
STEELERS: After a full week of practice, running back Rashard Mendenhall (Achilles) is set to return tomorrow against the Ravens. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder/rib) has already been declared out.
BROWNS: Starting cornerback Joe Haden will be a game-time decision because of an oblique injury.
JAGUARS: Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton has been fined $25,000 for making helmet-to-helmet contact with Colts QB Andrew Luck during last week’s game.
REF FINED:
Tony Corrente has been fined one game check (approximately $9,000) by the NFL for uttering obscenities with his microphone on during a Nov. 4 game between the Colts and Dolphins.