National Football League

Bears' Spencer breaks bone in hand

Published Oct. 3, 2011 3:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Chris Spencer has a broken bone in his right hand.

Coach Lovie Smith says Spencer suffered a "small fracture" early in Sunday's 34-29 victory over Carolina. He returned in the second half, and Smith says he will "hopefully" be ready for next Monday night's game against Detroit.

Spencer made his third straight start at right guard after Lance Louis sustained an ankle injury

He says it's a positive sign that Spencer returned, adding "whenever you have a player finish the game, you feel pretty good about him going into the next one."

Louis filled in at right guard and then replaced Frank Omiyale at right tackle when Spencer came back in Sunday. The Bears were already missing right tackle Gabe Carimi (knee).