Anxious Bears await test results on Orton's injured ankle

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- One day after leaving the field on a cart, Chicago Bears quarterback Kyle Orton was undergoing more tests on his right ankle to determine the extent of his injury

Orton was injured in the final minute of the first half in Sunday's 27-23 victory over the Detroit Lions, forcing the Bears to turn to former starter Rex Grossman. And Chicago might be without Orton for the next few weeks.

"I'm not playing doctor; you shouldn't either," coach Lovie Smith said Monday. "You should let us come and tell you once we know for sure exactly what the injury is. We're hopeful, I'll just say that."

Orton was examined after the game and underwent tests Monday morning, Smith said. More were scheduled for later in the day, but the odds of him being ready for next week's game against Tennessee certainly did not look good after he went down against the Lions.

Asked if the injury was more than just a sprain, Smith said: "It's an ankle injury. That's about all I'm going to tell you right now. Wednesday, I'll tell you more."

He also offered few details about safety Mike Brown's calf injury, although Smith did say he doesn't think it's season-ending.

Smith said the Bears have no plans to bring in another quarterback.

"To do that, you would say that Kyle will be out for a long period of time," Smith said. "We're not there. We're evaluating an ankle injury. That's about all we're doing right now."

Several reports said Orton could be out up to a month with a high ankle sprain, but team spokesman Scott Hagel said Monday night: "The evaluation process is ongoing and it will go through tomorrow."

Orton's agent David Dunn did not return messages seeking comment.

Orton was enjoying a breakout year after beating Grossman in a preseason competition before the injury in the closing minute of the first half. That happened moments after the Bears lost Brown, their emotional leader.

Brown walked to the locker room after Detroit's Jason Hanson booted a 52-yard field goal that extended Detroit's lead to 10 with 1:05 left.

The Bears had a third down on their 35 with 40 seconds left when Orton scrambled to his right. Cory Redding hit him and Dewayne White fell on Orton as the quarterback was hitting the turf.