LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Chicago Bears centre Will Montgomery will miss the remainder of the season because of a broken left fibula.
The team placed Montgomery on injured reserve Tuesday. He broke his leg early in Sunday’s 22-20 win over the Oakland Raiders, forcing the Bears to juggle an already short-handed line.
Matt Slauson shifted from left guard and spent most of the game at centre. Newly acquired Patrick Omameh came in at Slauson’s regular spot. The Bears already were without starting left tackle Jermon Bushrod because of a concussion and shoulder injury.
Montgomery has appeared in 110 games and made 75 starts – 58 at centre – for Carolina (2006), the New York Jets (2007-08), Washington (2008-13), Denver (2014) and Chicago (2015).
The Bears also signed safety Sherrod Martin, elevated offensive tackle Nick Becton from the practice squad to the active roster and waived punter Spencer Lanning and linebacker John Timu.
Martin has appeared in 72 games over five seasons with Carolina (2009-12) and Jacksonville (2014), collecting 195 tackles and eight interceptions. He was with the Bears in the preseason.
Benton has appeared in one NFL game with San Diego in 2013.
