Bears' Houston out for the year after celebrating sack

The Bears will return to practice next Monday from their off week healthier at some positions but worse off at others.

Defensive end Lamarr Houston (ruptured ACL, right knee) and left guard Matt Slauson (torn pectoral muscle) are finished for the season.

Houston, who signed a five-year, $35 million free-agent contract in the off-season, injured himself celebrating his only sack of the season with his team trailing by 25 points late in the fourth quarter. Slauson missed three straight games earlier in the season when he suffered a sprained ankle in the season opener.

"Obviously Lamarr had built up some frustration from not having a sack yet," Bears general manager Phil Emery said. "We were very pleased with his play against the run, and he led our team in hits on the quarterback, but he hadn't had a sack.

"He got his first sack, he let out all of his frustrations and ultimately paid a price for it. We're disappointed for him and in him. He knows he made an error. He's come into all of our offices and apologized for his error. But ultimately the team paid a price, and Lamarr paid a bigger price; he lost the season."

Houston, 27, will have surgery once the swelling subsides. His rehab is to be at least eight months. Slauson will not require surgery and will be ready for the off-season program after a 3-4-month rehabilitation, according to Emery.

Eben Britton replaced Slauson vs. the Patriots, but the Bears are considering moving right tackle Jordan Mills to guard. That would leave Britton and Michael Ola as possible as possible right tackle solutions, though both have played guard as well.

"We've got a number of guys we can move into that position," coach Marc Trestman said. "We can go with Jordan moving into that position, we could go with Eben moving into that position. We've got some young guys we're developing."

The health news was more encouraging for other players.

Linebacker Darryl Sharpton (right hamstring), who played well while Lance Briggs, Jon Bostic and Shea McClellin were out is week-to-week and probably won't be back for the Packers game.

But Lance Briggs (ribs) and Jon Bostic (back), who have missed three straight games, are expected back at practice next Monday. So are safety Danny McCray (knee) and Mills (foot), who missed the Patriots game. Wide receiver Marquess Wilson (fractured collar bone), who is on injured reserve/designated to return, should also be ready to return to practice next week.