The Chicago Bears confirmed Friday morning that defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek has a torn right ACL and will miss the 2009 season, his fourth consecutive season-ending injury and second torn ACL of his career.
The Bears drafted Dvoracek in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2006 NFL draft out of Oklahoma. He suffered a season-ending foot injury in the preseason four months later, tore his left ACL in Week 1 of 2007, then missed the final four games of 2008 with a torn biceps.
"I haven't talked to him, haven't had a chance of course," said Bears coach Lovie Smith. "I haven't seen a lot of players go through [constant season ending injuries]. Guys deal with injuries always. With Dusty, it's one thing to have injuries and they continue to linger, these are different injuries, they continue to get fixed."
Dvoracek has played only 13 games in his four-year career, recording 31 tackles -- 24 solo -- and two pass defenses. The Bears have not announced any roster moves to adjust for the loss of Dvoracek.
"It definitely put us down, but I think we have guys that can step up and fill those roles," said Bears defensive tackle Marcus Harrison. "That's a big loss, but we have to move on. It's tough because Dusty works so hard. It's just in his nature to work hard. You can't do nothing but pray for him."