LAKE FOREST, Ill., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears decided Thursday to place strong safety Mike Brown on the season-ending injured reserve list.
The move came one day after the 7-year veteran underwent surgery on a torn ligament in his right foot. The injury occurred on the final play of the third quarter in Monday night's game at Arizona.
In the same contest, he returned a fumble three yards for a touchdown.
Brown played in all 64 games in his first four NFL seasons but over the past three years he has been plagued by injuries, including a torn Achilles' tendon and a right calf ailment.
"He's a big part of what we do," linebacker Lance Briggs told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Having him out there is pivotal to our success."
The team said on its Web site that there are a number of candidates to replace Brown, including Todd Johnson, Chris Harris and Brandon McGowan.
