Bears' guard Brown goes on IR

Although the Bears have a golden opportunity to get their feeble running game going this week against an Oakland Raiders defense that has been trampled all season by ground attacks, they will have to do it without nine-time Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown, who was placed on injured reserve Thursday with a nagging right shoulder injury that has bothered him for much of the season.

Brown, who started the first eight games but will miss the remainder of the season, will have surgery soon. It's doubtful that the 13-year veteran, who turns 36 in February, will play in the NFL again.

Brown will be replaced at left guard by six-year veteran Terrence Metcalf, who has played in 62 games and started 20 since being drafted by the Bears in the third round in 2002.