Friday, November 9, 2007

The Chicago Bears have lost nine-time Pro Bowl left guard Ruben Brown for the season because of a right shoulder injury that will require surgery.

The team placed Brown on injured reserve yesterday after he missed Wednesday's practice. Terrence Metcalf will take Brown's place in the starting lineup on Sunday against the Raiders.

"Ruben has been practicing once a week for the most part, and he's been dealing with some pain," Coach Lovie Smith said. "He wasn't able to finish the last football game, but you know, you play with pain always. You don't know the extent until you get to that point where you're told it's not getting better. He needs to get it fixed."

The 13-year veteran started every game during the Bears' 2006 run to the Super Bowl, after missing three games in 2005 with a chest injury and seven games in 2004 because of neck and knee injuries.

¿ CHIEFS: Running back Larry Johnson's injured right foot "has made significant improvement," the team said in a release. Johnson, who rushed for more than 1,750 yards each of the past two years, was injured in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to the Packers. Coaches have said he would almost certainly not play this Sunday against the Broncos.

¿ DOLPHINS: Linebacker Zach Thomas, who has been bothered by the lingering effects of a concussion and car accident, returned to full contact at practice and said he expects to play Sunday against Buffalo.

¿ TITANS: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth sat out a second straight practice, and Coach Jeff Fisher said they want to be careful to avoid further injury with his sore hamstring. The six-year veteran had a career-high three sacks and led Tennessee in tackles in last week's 20-7 win over Carolina.

¿ PANTHERS: Vinny Testaverde is the leading candidate to start at quarterback on Sunday against the Falcons after he practiced for a second straight day. Testaverde, who turns 44 next week, and undrafted rookie Matt Moore took all the snaps as David Carr missed his second straight practice with a concussion.

¿ BILLS: Rookie tight end Derek Schouman's season ended when he became the 10th player placed on Buffalo's injured reserve list. Coach Dick Jauron said tests revealed Schouman is expected to miss up to seven weeks with a serious high right ankle sprain.

-- From News Services