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LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery will miss Sunday's season finale against the Detroit Lions because of a hamstring injury.
The team placed the former Pro Bowl receiver on injured reserve Wednesday. Jeffery was limited to nine games because of a variety of injuries. The Bears also placed nose tackle Eddie Goldman on injured reserve because of a right ankle injury and signed defensive linemen Greg Scruggs and Terry Williams.
The team's leading receiver with 807 yards, Jeffery has had trouble staying healthy this season and that could cost him with the four-year contract he signed as a rookie set to expire.
"Obviously, first and foremost it's probably very frustrating for him," coach John Fox said. "Just kept kind of new things popping up. I think when he was out there he was very productive, much like he's been earlier in his career. That's how I'd assess it."
The Bears envisioned Jeffery and rookie Kevin White forming a one-two receiver punch this year, but it did not play out that way. White was sidelined all season by a stress fracture in his left shin after being drafted with the seventh pick. Jeffery, who moved into the No. 1 role following the trade of Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets last offseason, struggled to stay on the field.
He missed all four preseason games because of a calf strain he suffered in practice and also dealt with hamstring, groin and shoulder problems during the season. He might be a candidate for the franchise tag rather than a multiyear deal, given his injuries.
Goldman, a second-round draft pick out of Florida State, had 4½ sacks as a rookie.
Scruggs appeared in 14 games over three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2012-14) and had eight tackles and two sacks. Williams, an undrafted free agent from East Carolina, spent the first month of the season on Chicago's practice squad.
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