CHICAGO, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- The lowly Chicago Bears Tuesday mercifully ended the seasons of two players, putting them on injured reserve.
The players are running back Anthony Thomas and backup tight end Dustin Lyman.
Thomas, the 2001 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year when he rushed for 1,183 yards and helped the Bears win their first NFC Central Division title since 1990, suffered a fractured left index finger in a game Dec. 1 at Green Bay.
He also was Chicago's leading ground gainer this year as well with 721 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. He added 24 pass catches for 163 yards.
Lyman, the club's backup tight end, also was injured in the Green Bay game when he caught two touchdown passes before rupturing the ACL in his left knee.
He had 14 catches for 121 yards for the year.
Also, quarterback Jim Miller will not play again this season. Miller suffered a hyperextended left knee Monday night when Miami lineman Rob Burnett was pushed back into his leg, and Miller had to be carted off the field.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday that an MRI showed some damage to the MCL, but the paper said the injury will not require surgery.
Currently, Miller is on crutches.
A season after their magical campaign, the Bears (3-10) are one of three teams with double-digit losses in the NFC North, and are in a three-way tie for last place in the division.
