Pat Williams inactive with elbow injury

The Vikings will be without their starting nose tackle for the first time this season.

The Vikings will be without Pat Williams for the first time this season, making way for Jimmy Kennedy to start at nose tackle.

Williams hurt his elbow last week against the Carolina Panthers and didn’t play much in the fourth quarter because of it. Williams has started every game this season, and combined with the loss of E.J. Henderson, it marks a significant hole in the middle of the Vikings defense. However, the Bears are averaging only 88.4 rushing yards per game, 29th in the NFL.

Also inactive for the Vikings are QB Sage Rosenfels (third QB), CB Karl Paymah, WR Jaymar Johnson, TE Garrett Mills, LB J Leman, C Jon Cooper and DE Jayme Mitchell.

The Bears won't be at full strength either, especially at receiver and safety. Starting wide receiver Devin Hester (calf) and backup Juaquin Iglesias are both inactive, as are safeties Al Afalava (knee) and Kevin Payne (ankle).

Also inactive for the Bears are punter Richmond McGee, G Lance Louis, DT Matt Toeaina and T James Marten.

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