Gould among three Bears played on injured reserve
By Larry Mayer
aaThe Bears on Tuesday placed kicker Robbie Gould and special teams standouts Sherrick McManis and Craig Steltz on injured reserve and signed veteran kicker Olindo Mare.
While injuries have depleted the Bears offense and defense in recent weeks, their special teams unit had remained relatively unscathed. But that changed in a dramatic way Sunday against the Vikings.
On Tuesday, the Bears placed kicker Robbie Gould (calf) and special teams standouts Sherrick McManis (knee) and Craig Steltz (chest) on injured reserve after they got hurt in Minnesota.
Gould, who strained his left calf during pre-game warm-ups, was replaced on the roster by Olindo Mare, a 16-year NFL veteran who won a five-man kicking competition Tuesday at Halas Hall.
Mare has converted 81.2 percent of his field-goal attempts (350 of 431) in 15 NFL seasons with the Dolphins (1997-2006), Saints (2007), Seahawks (2008-10) and Panthers (2011). Last year Mare made 22 of 28 field goal tries (78.6 percent) for Carolina.
The Bears also promoted receiver Joe Anderson from their practice squad, signed linebacker Jerry Franklin off the Cowboys practice squad, and waived veteran offensive lineman Andre Gurode, whom they had signed Nov. 27. Chicago's active roster now stands at 52.
Gould made both extra points he attempted against the Vikings, but was replaced on kickoffs by Adam Podlesh. Until now, Gould had not missed a game since joining the Bears on Oct. 8, 2005. The last player other than Gould to attempt a field goal for the Bears was Doug Brien.
Gould converted 21 of 25 field goal attempts this season (84.0 percent) and is the fourth most accurate kicker in NFL history with an 85.6 percent success rate (208 of 243).
In 2012, Gould made the 10th game-winner of his career when he hit a 41-yarder as time expired to beat the Panthers 23-22 Oct. 28 at Soldier Field. He also extended his streak of field goals from 50 yards and beyond to 10 straight without a miss, one shy of Tony Zendejas' NFL record.
Prior to his injury, Gould had recorded 38 touchbacks on kickoffs, sixth most in the NFL, which led to opponents starting their average drive after kickoffs at the 19.8-yard line, tops in the league.
LINK
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/art...a-d89419979835
Gould among three Bears on injured reserve
Gould among three Bears on injured reserve
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