[CBFF] Benson out for rest of season

Mon Nov 26 15:03:28 MST 2007

Posted: Monday November 26, 2007 4:41PM; Updated: Monday November 26,
2007 4:41PM

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson
will miss the remainder of the season with an injury to his lower left
leg that will require surgery.

"A tough break," Bears coach Lovie Smith said Monday. "We'll miss him."

Smith would not disclose what Benson's injury was, only to say it was
season-ending and needed surgery.

Benson, who took over this season as the Bears' starting tailback
after the trade of Thomas Jones, broke free for a 21-yard run in
Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. But he was hurt as he landed
while being tackled by Denver safety Hamza Abdullah and later had to
be carted off the field following the second-quarter play.

Chicago, buoyed by two kick return touchdowns from Devin Hester,
rallied to win the game 37-34 in overtime.

The Bears' first-round pick in 2005 out of Texas, Benson has been
slowed by injuries during his first three seasons.

A lengthy contract negotiation caused him to miss his first training
camp two years ago, and a knee injury suffered against San Francisco
knocked him out of six games that season.

In 2006, Benson sprained his shoulder during training camp and missed
the preseason. And then he was knocked out of the Super Bowl in the
first quarter after spraining his left knee.

Veteran Adrian Peterson will move in as the starter, with Garrett
Wolfe the backup.

Benson rushed for 674 yards this season on 196 carries, an average of
3.4 yards per carry. He had four touchdowns.