Bears center Montgomery done for season
Center Will Montgomery, who suffered a fractured fibula on the Bears' third play from scrimmage in Sunday's 22-20 victory over the Oakland Raiders, was placed on season-ending injured reserve Tuesday afternoon.
Montgomery started all four games this season and has 75 starts in a 10-year career that has included stints with the Denver Broncos (2014), Washington (2008-13), New York Jets (2007-08) and Carolina Panthers (2006). Left guard Matt Slauson replaced Montgomery vs. the Raiders, and now coach John Fox must decide whether to stay with Slauson or give rookie center Hroniss Grasu an opportunity to take over for Montgomery.
“I think he's a very talented player,” Fox said of Grasu, a third-round draft pick (71st overall) who has been a game day inactive for each of the first four gamed. “He's a guy that's familiar with our offense. I think everybody in our locker room, or in our football building, has confidence in him. At some point, we will get to find out.”
The Bears also elevated tackle Nick Becton from the practice squad to the active roster; signed safety Sherrod Martin to the active roster; signed defensive tackle Brandon Dunn and center Barrett Jones to the practice squad; waived punter Spencer Lanning and linebacker John Timu, placed wide receiver Jalen Saunders on the practice squad/injured list; and terminated the practice-squad contract of defensive tackle Terry Williams.
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