Nov. 26--The Chicago Bears have placed offensive lineman Brian de la Puente on injured reserve with a season-ending ankle injury Wednesday, a surprise setback for the 29-year-old veteran.
De la Puente played all 57 offensive snaps during Sunday's 21-13 win over the Buccaneers, but then turned up on the team's injury report Monday. The Bears did not practice this week before departing Wednesday for Detroi, where they will play a Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions.
It's hard to know when de la Puente suffered the injury. But his absence for the remainder of the season is yet another setback for an offensive line that has been riddled with injuries all year.
De la Puente started four games at center for the Bears in the early season when Roberto Garza was sidelined with a high ankle sprain. De la Puente had started the past two games at left guard, part of an O-line reshuffle that was needed after Matt Slauson went on injured reserve with a torn pectoral and Jordan Mills missed two contests with an injury to his ribs.
The Bears likely will start Thursday's game against the Lions with Mills back at right tackle, Long beside him at right guard, Garza at center, Michael Ola at left guard and Jermon Bushrod at left tackle.
To fill de la Puente's spot on the 53-man roster, defensive tackle Brandon Dunn has been promoted off the practice squad. Dunn's promotion could provide insurance depth for Thursday's game in Detroit with defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff on the Bears' injury report with a knee injury.
dwiederer@tribpub.com
