LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have placed starting left guard Chris Williams on injured reserve Monday, ending his season.
The four-year veteran had surgery to repair a dislocated wrist Sunday night, after the team's 37-13 victory over the Detroit Lions. He was replaced by Edwin Williams in the second half.
"Chris has been doing a great job of stepping in and being a leader on the offensive line," center Roberto Garza said. "It's a tough loss for us, but obviously somebody has to step up and Ed (Williams) did that during the game."
Bears coach Lovie Smith stopped short Monday of calling Williams the new starting left guard for Sunday's home game against San Diego.
"Edwin has started for us around here, knows what we do, there's a reason he's on the roster," Smith said. "We feel good needing a backup to step up with Edwin stepping in if that's what duty calls."
A third-year player, Edwin Williams has started five games, three in Chicago in 2010 and two with the Washington Redskins in 2009.
Other options available are moving backup tackle Frank Omiyale to left guard. He played the position in 2009 before moving to tackle.
Starting right tackle Gabe Carimi underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week. If he is able to return, the Bears would also have the option of starting him and moving current starting right tackle Lance Louis back to guard, where he played when the season began.
The Bears also waived defensive end Nick Reed on Monday and signed former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Chauncey Davis. Davis had 25 starts for the Falcons from 2005-10 and was a fourth-round draft pick in 2005.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
