Carimi placed on IR

The Bears have placed rookie right tackle Gabe Carimi on injured reserve, ending his season.

Carimi, 23, never recovered from a knee injury that he sustained in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. He tried to return to practice earlier this month but suffered a setback and eventually required arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

The Bears initially were prepared to keep Carimi on the active roster, but a season-ending wrist injury to left guard Chris Williams left the team in desperate need of depth on the offensive line.

By placing Carimi on IR, the Bears were able to promote offensive lineman Levi Horn from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Earlier in the week, guard Ricky Henry was promoted from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Carimi finished his rookie season with two starts. The former Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman was the Bears' first-round pick (No. 29 overall) in the 2011 NFL draft.

The Bears (6-3) will host the San Diego Chargers (4-5) on Sunday.

-Tom Musick