Bears De-Activate Kreutz, Holdman

Two of the Chicago Bears' top players were moved onto the injured reserve list this week, both due to knee problems. The news comes in the wake of a series of debilitating injuries for the club.

Linebacker and top-two tackler Warrick Holdman twisted his left knee in practice last Thursday and underwent arthroscopic surgery Monday for loose cartilage. Doctors expect his recovery to take at least 8 to 10 weeks. Holdman started in the first 1- games of the season and made 87 tackles, ranking second on the team.

Center Olin Kreutz, the Pro-Bowl alternate who started in seven games this season, sprained his medial collateral ligament earlier in the season. After Kreutz missed four games, the Bears announced that he would not be returning to the gridiron this season. Team trainers said the injury will take at least six to eight weeks of rehabilitation, but no surgery. Missing the rest of the season will bring his total of missed games to nine, making him a restricted free agent at the end of the season. According to the Chicago Tribune, however, the Bears are expected to re-sign him.

One of the open roster spots will be filled by defensive tackle Alfonso Boone, who was signed from the Detroit Lions defensive squad this week.