Vikings’ Pat Williams, Bears’ Hester inactive
Published: December 28th, 2009 | Tags: Al Afalava, Chicago Bears, Devin Hester, Jimmy Kennedy, Kevin Payne, Minnesota Vikings, Pat Williams, Week 16 injuries
The Vikings will be without a key component of their fourth-ranked run defense Monday night, as DT Pat Williams was deactivated prior to the game against the Bears.
Williams had been listed as questionable to play after being limited in practice all week. He’ll be replaced in the lineup by Jimmy Kennedy, who has played in 12 games this season but will be making his first start.
The other Vikings inactives: WR Jaymar Johnson, CB Karl Paymah, TE Garrett Mills, LB Jeremy Leman, C Jon Cooper and DE Jayme Mitchell. Sage Rosenfels is the emergency No. 3 quarterback.
Bears WR Devin Hester will miss his third straight game due to a lingering calf injury. Hester took part in limited portions of practice last week and had been listed as questionable. The Bears will also be without both starting safeties — Al Afalava (knee) and Kevin Payne (knee). Afalava was questionable for the game, while Payne was doubtful.
The remaining Bears inactives: WR Juaquin Iglesias, G Lance Louis, OT James Marten, DT Matt Toeaina and P Richmond McGee.