Chicago Bears place LB D.J. Williams on IR means Jon Bostic time

Oct 6, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) is tackled by Chicago Bears middle linebacker D.J. Williams (58) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports /

It was announced last week that Chicago Bears middle linebacker D.J. Williams will miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Today, the team officially placed him on the injured reserve list:

LM: Bears have placed LB D.J. Williams on injured reserve and promoted LB Jerry Franklin from practice squad to active roster.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 18, 2013

With Williams out for the season, the Bears have lost three starters to an already struggling front seven. Franchise defensive tackle Henry Melton and replacement Nate Collins suffered torn ACLs.

Rookie Jon Bostic replaced Williams against the New York Giants when Williams was out, and he’s expected to man that spot for the time being. Longtime veteran linebacker Lance Briggs believes Bostic can step in and make up for that loss of production:

"“Bostic did well [replacing Williams]. He got in, got his nose in it and found out that some of the stuff that we see in practice and the preseason is a little bit different on the field,” Briggs said. “But Bostic’s gonna be big next week.”"

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