Kreutz may be hurt, but play never in question.

Byline: David Haugh

Center Olin Kreutz possesses enough moxie and experience that he probably could wake up Sunday in Detroit without having practiced all week and still not miss a beat _ or maybe even a block _ against the Lions. But the Bears hope it doesn't come to that. Kreutz missed his second straight day of practice Thursday with a sprained right ankle and remains listed as questionable for his 41st consecutive start. Coach Dick Jauron didn't sound like he expected Kreutz to practice Friday and hinted it likely will come down to a game-time decision. ...

Josh Warner, who filled in at right guard against the 49ers when Chris Villarrial went down, worked with the No. 1 offense in Kreutz's absence. Warner played center last summer in NFL Europe. Terrence Metcalf also got some work snapping. ...

Offensive coordinator John Shoop didn't think that making Rex Grossman the No. 3 quarterback means the Bears have put him on a slower track. "We as a staff feel a great sense of urgency in getting Rex ready," Shoop said. ...

Brian Urlacher straddled the fence when asked how important sacks are to a defense. A day earlier, defensive coordinator Greg Blache contended they weren't. The Bears officially have six in eight games, on pace to set an NFL record. The current low-water mark is the Baltimore Colts' 13 in 1981. "I think they're important but not in the last three games," Urlacher said. "We have one (in that span) but we're getting timely pressure. I don't know how many we have, but it's no big deal." ...

Here's another reason for Blache to dislike statistics _ or at least statisticians: the Elias Sports Bureau took a sack away from the Bears. Team statistics listed the Bears with seven sacks after the Lions game but a film review eventually changed cornerback Todd McMillon's sack of quarterback Joey Harrington to a tackle for a loss because it was considered a running play. ...

Urlacher wouldn't be surprised to learn opposing teams pump crowd noise through their stadium speakers to make it harder on visiting teams. "I think they do in New Orleans," said Urlacher, who thought he heard background noise behind a song played during the Saints game. ...

Jauron was encouraged by how well Marty Booker practiced a day after testing his sprained ankle and still expects Booker to be ready Sunday.

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