Urlacher out for the year after surgery

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher will miss the rest of the NFL season because of an injury in which he dislocated his wrist, the team said Monday.

The Bears, on their Web site, said Urlacher had surgery Monday morning to repair a dislocated wrist suffered in Chicago's 21-15 season-opening loss Sunday night at Green Bay.

It was unclear on which play Urlacher was hurt but the injury occurred in the first quarter.

Urlacher, communicating with a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, sent a text message saying "season is over" when asked about the injury. After surgery was performed Monday, the team confirmed that the linebacker would be out the rest of the year.

Urlacher, 31, has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times over a career that began in 2000. His career total of 1,406 tackles is the most for a Chicago player over his first nine seasons.

Urlacher appeared in all 16 of the Bears' games in a seven of the last eight seasons. Leg injuries limited him to appearances in nine games in 2004.

Hunter Hillenmeyer, as seven-year NFL veteran, is expected to replace Urlacher as Chicago's starting middle linebacker.