LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears put cornerback Nathan Vasher on injured reserve Thursday, ending his season.
Vasher played in four games for the Bears this season, logging one sack, nine tackles, one interception and two pass breakups. He's been hampered by a groin injury.
"We've missed him all year," coach Lovie Smith said. "He got a chance to play in the Minnesota game and we got a chance to see exactly what we missed this year."
The Bears resisted putting Vasher on injured reserve for 10 games after the injury and he played against the Minnesota Vikings, intercepting a pass and causing another interception with a big hit. But he also aggravated the injury, missing last Sunday's 35-7 win over Green Bay.
"If I had to do it all over again, I would (play), just to give our team a chance to win and get back out there," said Vasher, who will not need surgery. "It was definitely meaningful for me to try to come back and play at that time."
The Bears signed wide receiver Brandon Rideau to the active roster to take Vasher's place.
Rideau entered the NFL with Cleveland as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2005. He spent the preseason with the Bears and made five receptions for 87 yards in two games before suffering an ankle injury.
Notes: Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (ankle) were the only players who did not practice Thursday. Wide receiver Bernard Berrian (knee) and tackle Fred Miller (ankle), who missed Wednesday's practice, participated on a limited basis Thursday. ... Linebacker Lance Briggs (hip), who missed last week's game, said he anticipates playing Sunday.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
