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Bears nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek is scheduled to undergo an MRI Sunday to determine the severity of a right knee injury.

Dvoracek left the field early during the Bears' 17-3 exhibition win over the Giants Saturday night. He exited the locker room after the game with ice wrapped around the knee. Hours later, he said he would be"fine.''

Injuries have hampered Dvoracek's previous three seasons, limiting him to 13 games, all starts. He's been in a three-way battle this preseason with Anthony Adams and Marcus Harrison.

Dvoracek made some strides last week, but the latest misfortunate could significantly affect his status.

Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek has been fined $7,500 by the league for a late hit on Buffalo quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick last week.

Dvoracek was penalized 15 yards on the play, which was a 19-yard completion to wide receiver Felton Huggins on third-and-10. That turned it into a 34-yard gain for the Bills.

Afterward, Dvoracek said that referee Scott Green told him he was not fined for a late hit but for helmet-to-helmet contact with Fitzpatrick. Dvoracek was adamant it was not a late hit although replays on television seemed to show he took two steps before hitting Fitzpatrick.

A league spokesman said the fine was for "unnecessarily striking the quarterback late."

Hitting the quarterback late remains about the surest away to draw the attention of the league office and because the players do not receive game checks until the regular season starts, it cost Dvoracek to play in the preseason opener.

The Bears know as well as any franchise that there is no such thing as too much depth on the defensive line, and they will be tested again.

Defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek, who had a sack, tackle for loss and quarterback hit Saturday night against the New York Giants, will miss the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee, a source close to the player said. It's the fourth straight season-ending injury for the hard worker who has had a star-crossed career since being selected in the third round in 2006.

Dvoracek has played in just 13 regular-season games and ended each of his three previous seasons on injured reserve. His character and work ethic have led general manager Jerry Angelo to make a Mike Brown-type exception for an injury-prone player. But the team cannot be surprised by this development based simply on the fact that he has had so much difficulty staying on the field.

Angelo has said the Bears changed their philosophy recently when it comes to drafting players with medical concerns.

Icness wrote:Bummer, though it does validate the pre-draft flags that scared off so many other teams and Angelo ignored.

Icness wrote:Heard from a Bears source that he's going on IR today, having surgery Wed.. Bummer, though it does validate the pre-draft flags that scared off so many other teams and Angelo ignored.

I can't imagine Dusty ever getting another shot.

Bears nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek said a report stating that he is done for the season with a torn right ACL is ``wrong' although he declined to discuss the specifics of the injury. The Bears would not confirm nor deny the report by the Sun-Times.

Players in the locker room, including nose tackle Anthony Adams, talked as if they had already been informed that Dvoracek is indeed out for the season.

Dvoracek exited the lunch room toward the locker room wearing a protective sleeve on his right leg but walking under his own power. His agent, Bill Johnson, was unaware of any final determination on Dvoracek's status.

Coach Lovie Smith is likely to address the issue after practice. This would be the fourth consecutive season-ending injury for Dvoracek. His status with the team going into the season was questionable considering his injury history. His contract is up after the 2009 season.

Adams could emerge as the starter for the Sept. 13 season opener at Green Bay although Harrison might be more talented overall.

Chewie wrote:

Icness wrote:Heard from a Bears source that he's going on IR today, having surgery Wed.. Bummer, though it does validate the pre-draft flags that scared off so many other teams and Angelo ignored.

I can't imagine Dusty ever getting another shot.

I thought those flags were more for off the field issues with Dusty ?