National Football League

Knee injury to sideline Bears' Tinoisamoa for year

Published Oct. 22, 2009 12:39 a.m. ET

foxsports

Chicago Bears strongside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa needs season-ending surgery to repair ligament damage in his right knee.

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Coach Lovie Smith said Tinoisamoa was "just disappointed" that he never got to show what he could do for the Bears after signing a one-year deal in May.

He was carted from the sideline during last week's 21-14 loss at Atlanta after injuring the knee for the second time this season. He had just returned after tearing the posterior cruciate ligament in the season opener at Green Bay.

The Bears have been hit hard by injuries, particularly at linebacker. They lost six-time Pro Bowl pick Brian Urlacher for the season after he dislocated his right wrist against the Packers. Hunter Hillenmeyer practiced Wednesday for the first time since he injured ribs at Seattle on Sept. 27.