26-year old DE Gaines Adams has died today of a heart attack at the age of 26.  He played in 10 games for the Bears this season after coming over from the Bucs in a trade earlier this season and he made 7 tackles, forced 2 fumbles and he defensed a pass for them.  He played in 15 games overall this season for the Bucs and Bears in which he had 17 tackles, 1 sack, defensed 3 passes and he forced 2 fumbles.  In his three years in the NFL, Adams played in 47 games in which he made 93 tackles, defensed 11 passes, had 13.5 sacks, forced 4 fumbles and he had 1 interception (he returned it for a TD).  What a shame for the Adams’ family who should be in everyones prayers.

The Bears will likely be playing without S/KR Danieal Manning this Sunday due to a calf injury.  He has played in 15 games this season for the Bears and he has made 92 tackles, 1 sack, forced 2 fumbles, defensed 2 passes and he has 1 interception.  Manning has also returned 28 kickoffs for 744 yards (26.6 avg) this season.  The Bears could really miss him if he can’t play this weekend.

The Chicago Bears have placed CB Charles Tillman and DT Israel Idonije on the Injured Reserve List ending their seasons.  Tillman has fractured ribs and a bruised lung while Idonije has a foot injury.  Tillman played in 15 games for the Bears this season and he made 77 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, forced 6 fumbles, defensed 7 passes and he has 2 interceptions (one returned for a TD).  Idonije played in 15 games for the Bears this season and he made 18 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, forced 1 fumble and he had 2.5 sacks.  The Bears might really miss Tillman this weekend against Calvin Johnson of the Lions.

35-year old punter Brad Maynard may miss this week’s game for the Bears.  He has played in 15 games for the Bears this season and he has punted the ball 72 times for 3,017 yards (41.9 avg).  Maynard has only 2 touchbacks (2.8%) this season and he has pinned the opposing team inside their own 20-yard line 25 times (34.7%) this year.  The Bears have signed 26-year old Richmond McGee who could make his NFL debut against the Lions this week as the punter.  If the Bears were playing any other team but the Lions this might be a huge issue but the Bears might not need the punter much in this game due to the Lions’ horrific defense.

The Bears have lost Adewale Ogunleye for the rest of the year due to a small fracture in his left fibula.  He played in 14 games for the Bears this season and he made 38 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, forced 1 fumble and he had 6.5 sacks.  This is a big loss for the Bears as Ogunleye was one of the best pass rushers on the team.