Thread: Chris Williams wrist surgery.

November 14, 2011Bears determined to overcome latest injury

By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 11/14/2011 2:56 PM



It’s a tough blow to an offensive line that has steadily improved while developing continuity over the last month. But the Bears are vowing to overcome the loss of left guard Chris Williams.

The 2008 first-round pick has been placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery Sunday night to repair a wrist injury he suffered in the second quarter of the Bears’ 37-13 win over the Lions.

“He’ll miss the rest of the season, which is a tough break for us and a tough break for Chris, but that’s how it goes sometimes,” coach Lovie Smith said Monday at Halas Hall.

Smith revealed that the wrist injury Williams incurred is “very similar” to the one that caused middle linebacker Brian Urlacher to miss the final 15 games of the 2009 season.

“It’s unfortunate,” Smith said. “Chris is a tough guy. He made it through the half. You could tell something was wrong, but didn’t know it was that. But again, he’ll be back in time.”

Second-year pro Edwin Williams, who started three games at right guard for the Bears last year, replaced Chris Williams at the outset of the second half Sunday against the Lions.

“Chris has been doing a great job of stepping in and being a leader on the offensive line,” said center Roberto Garza. “It’s a tough loss for us, but somebody has to step up and Ed did that during the game. I thought he came into the game and did a good job.”

Smith agreed that Edwin Williams performed well when called upon in Sunday’s NFC North showdown. “Edwin came in and did a good job for us,” Smith said. “Edwin has started for us around here. He knows what to do. There’s a reason he’s on the roster. We feel good needing a backup to step up with Edwin stepping in if that’s what duty calls.”

Chris Williams, who started the first nine games at left guard, is the second first-round pick the Bears have lost to injury on their offensive line. Rookie right tackle Gabe Carimi has been sidelined since hurting his knee in a Week 2 loss in New Orleans and underwent arthroscopic surgery last Friday.

“Gabe Carimi will continue to rehab and hopefully we’ll get good news before long on him,” Smith said.

More moves: In addition to placing Chris Williams on injured reserve, the Bears on Monday also swapped defensive ends, waiving Nick Reed and signing Chauncey Davis to a two-year contract.

Reed appeared in seven games this season, recording 11 tackles and one pass break up. The 6-1, 248-pounder originally entered the NFL in 2009 as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks, playing in all 16 games as a rookie with Seattle.
Davis appeared in 96 games with 25 starts in six seasons with the Falcons from 2005-10 after arriving in Atlanta as a fourth-round draft pick. He recorded 204 tackles, 10 sacks, two interceptions, eight fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles while also scoring two touchdowns on a 26-yard interception return and a 24-yard fumble return.