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Ted Washington out for three months

LAKE FOREST, Ill., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Chicago Bears defensive tackle Ted Washington, regarded as one of the NFL's best run-stoppers, will be sidelined up to three months due to a torn ligament in his foot and hairline fracture of his leg.

The Bears released an injury report Wednesday that stated Washington would miss Sunday's game due to an ankle injury, then revealed the problem was more serious than originally reported.

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Washington, who has appeared in 119 consecutive games, tore the Lisfranc ligament in his left foot and suffered a hairline fracture of his left fibula in last Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons.

The 365-pound Washington will have a screw inserted to stabilize the area surrounding the foot tendon, the more serious of the two injuries. The hairline fracture would have kept him out up to six weeks.

Washington, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, will miss his first game since 1994 on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Alfonso Boone is expected to start in his place.

Washington last missed a game when he was with the Denver Broncos. He had a string of 88 straight starts snapped last year when he came off the bench against the San Francisco 49ers.

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From 1996-2000, Washington started all 80 games with the Buffalo Bills. He signed with Chicago prior to last season.

The Bears now have three starters missing from the defense, with Washington joining defensive end Phillip Daniels (ankle) and cornerback R.W. McQuarters (knee) on the sidelines. Last year, Chicago had one defensive starter miss one game as it went 13-3.

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