Bears place Tillman on IR with torn right triceps

ANDREW SELIGMAN
AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his right triceps.

The Bears placed the two-time Pro Bowl player on injured reserve Monday. Tillman came up clutching his arm in pain in the third quarter of Sunday’s win at San Francisco after he got tangled with the 49ers’ Michael Crabtree during a run along the sideline by Colin Kaepernick.

He was seen weeping on the sideline.

Tillman suffered a similar injury against Detroit last November. The Bears left open the possibility of a comeback by placing him on IR with a designation to return, but he wound up missing the remainder of the season.

This time, there’s no doubt — Tillman is finished for the year. Whether he has played his final game for the Bears or in the NFL remains to be seen.

He’s 33, in his 12th season and operating on a one-year contract so his future already was up in the air.

“I appreciate the kind words of encouragement and support from all the Bears fans who have reached out to me,” Tillman said in a statement. “I know this feeling way too well, but this isn’t the end of the road for me. As I rehab my injury, my role will transition to helping coach and support my teammates. I will be at Halas Hall and do everything I can to help our team reach its goals.”

Tillman ranks third on the Bears’ career list with 36 interceptions and is their all-time leader in defensive touchdowns (nine), interception return yards (675) and interception return touchdowns (eight). Since entering the league in 2003, he ranks second in forced fumbles (42) and is tied for second in interception returns for TDs.

He was also recognized as the 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year mainly for his charitable work through his Cornerstone Foundation. The organization provides aid to children or their families in need. Tillman’s daughter Tiana is a heart transplant recipient.

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Online:

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