National Football League

Report: Bears' Tinoisamoa may need knee surgery

Published Oct. 21, 2009 3:10 p.m. ET

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Pisa Tinoisamoa has to decide whether to have season-ending surgery after the Bears linebacker suffered cartilage damage in his right knee, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Tinoisamoa suffered the injury during Sunday's 21-14 loss to Atlanta and has an MRI exam Monday, the paper reported citing league sources.

The paper reported Tinoisamoa is considering getting a second opinion on his knee before making a final decision.

The seven-year veteran, coming off a career-high 98 tackles a year ago for the Rams, ruptured the posterior cruciate ligament in the same knee during the season opener in Green Bay.

Tinoisamoa signed a one-year contract with the Bears after the Rams cut him.

The Bears already have problems at linebacker. Brian Urlacher underwent season-ending wrist surgery and Hunter Hillenmeyer has a cracked rib.