Bears QB Grossman done for the season

Dec 7, 2007 - 10:07 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman has a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and is expected miss the remainder of the season, the Chicago Sun-Times reported on its web site Friday.

Grossman was injured early in the first quarter of Thursday's 24-16 loss to the Washington Redskins when he was tackled by defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin on a passing play.

According to the report, Grossman will not need surgery and could return in three to four weeks. With the Bears (5-8) all but out of postseason contention, it is unlikely he'll take the field again this season.

A first-round draft selection of the Bears in 2003, Grossman may have played his final game with Chicago. He will be an unrestricted free agent starting March 1, and he hasn't exactly given the Bears reason to bring him back.

This is Grossman's third serious injury since joining the team - he played only three games in 2004 because of a torn right ACL and missed most of 2005 due to a broken ankle.

Though often criticized for his inconsistent play in 2006, he played in every game and the Bears reached Super Bowl XLI, where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts.

Grossman threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter of that 29-17 loss, the first one run back for a touchdown.

Grossman was a disaster through three games to start this season - throwing six interceptions and just one touchdown - and was replaced by Brian Griese prior to Week Four.

Griese didn't fare much better and when a shoulder sprain sidelined him last month, Grossman regained the starting job. Grossman finishes the season with four touchdown passes, seven interceptions and a 66.4 passer rating.

The starter once again, Griese finished Thursday's game 27-of-45 for 295 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions - thrown on consecutive passes in the second quarter. He has 10 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 75.6 passer rating this season.