One of the most star-crossed careers in recent Bears history ended Monday when the team released guard Rex Tucker.
Tucker finished the last three seasons on injured reserve after being voted a Pro Bowl alternate following the 2001 season, when he started every game. In the last three years, he played in 11 games, 10 of them starts.
Two of Tucker’s major injuries didn’t even occur in regular-season games.
He missed the first six games of last season after suffering a dislocated elbow in a workout at training camp in Bourbonnais, Ill. He started five games at right guard but went on injured reserve with a hamstring injury Dec. 13.
He missed the 2003 season after tearing a tendon in his right ankle in the final series of the exhibition finale at New England.
Tucker, a third-round pick from Texas A&M in 1999, missed the last 11 games of 2002 after dislocating his ankle and breaking his fibula Oct. 7 against Green Bay.
The Bears go into training camp with Ruben Brown at left guard and Terrence Metcalf, who signed a one-year contract Monday, at right guard.
Veteran Steve Edwards and Roberto Garza, signed as a free agent from Atlanta, are the leaders for the No. 3 guard job.