Henry Melton has a torn ACL, according to an ESPN report, ending his season and sending the Bears looking for another defensive tackle.
Melton had an MRI on Monday morning after injuring his left knee while rushing the passer in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ Sunday night win in Pittsburgh.
Coach Marc Trestman will address the media, and Melton’s status, at 1:30 p.m.
After the game Sunday, Bears shared their concern for the Pro Bowler.
“It’s hard, man,” defensive tackle Stephen Paea said. “I walked in there, and you just tell him to stay up, man. We have his back.”
Melton was playing under a $8.45 million franchise tag after sitting out during most of the preseason with a concussion.
With Melton injured, veteran defensive tackle Nate Collins will take over next to Paea. The Bears are expected to look at defensive tackle help in the free-agent market, but undrafted rookie Zach Minter could also get a chance. He was inactive for the first three games.
