Bears will face Texans without Brown

As the Bears prepare to take the field in a must-win game against the Houston Texans they will have to do so without Safety and defensive captain Mike Brown. It’s a common end to the season for Brown who will now finish up his fourth year out of the last five on injured reserved, with yet another leg injury — this time his calf — putting him on the shelf.

Now with free agency approaching it has put Mike Brown’s career with the Bears in doubt. Many thought it could’ve been over last season when a cheap block from Lorenzo Neal bent Brown backwards and led to an ACL tear. But as he had many times before Brown worked diligently all through the year rehabbing and has provided a stable veteran presence for the team through 15 games.

Yet, the cumulative effect of the injuries has been obvious. Once amongst the most dynamic playmakers at his position the loss of explosiveness has changed turnovers and big hits into solid tackles. While that along with his leadership should be enough, the Bears have needed more because his presence has pushed Kevin Payne out of position to free safety.

The injury should open the door for rookie Craig Steltz who was expected to challenge for a starting spot immediately but has developed slower and been relegated to special teams. Next year he will likely be competing with Brandon McGowan for a full-time spot next to Payne.

It is a sad day for Bears fans that this injury likely close door on the Mike Brown era. In the last nine seasons no one had worked harder or more embodied the soul of this Bears defense than Brown. The memories he has left here will be ones we cherish for years to come and it will be those moments and not the games he missed that this warrior will be remembered for.