DETROIT – Devin Hester is headed to the Pro Bowl, but the electrifying return specialist isn’t the only Bears player who figures to garner consideration for rookie of the year honors.

Defensive end Mark Anderson registered two more sacks in Sunday’s 26-21 win over the Detroit Lions, increasing his team-leading total to 12, the most by a Bears player since Richard Dent had 12½ in 1993. Anderson’s 12 sacks are the most by a rookie selected in the fifth round or later in NFL history.

Mark Anderson smothers Devale Ellis for a nine-yard loss on a reverse Sunday in the Bears' 26-21 win over the Detroit Lions.

“He’s had a (heck) of a season,” said receiver Muhsin Muhammad. “We’re really proud of what he’s done, what he’s brought to this team. I think he really should get rookie of the year. He’s made a good push for it.”

Recording his fourth two-sack game of the season and second in three weeks, Anderson dropped Jon Kitna for a 10-yard loss late in the second quarter and again for a 6-yard loss in the fourth period. On his second sack, Anderson forced a fumble that was recovered by Adewale Ogunleye, setting up a Robbie Gould field goal that enabled the Bears to extend their lead to 26-21.

“Anytime you get a young man like that and get him on turf and give him an opportunity to just go, he’s very effective,” said defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. “We really didn’t run a lot of stunts, but when we were running our straight pass rush, he was really good in terms of his get-off. I thought he had a good day rushing the passer.”

Anderson also tackled receiver Devale Ellis for a nine-yard loss on a second-quarter reverse.

“I’m just playing within the scheme,” said Anderson, a fifth-round pick from Alabama. “The scheme is (designed) for the end to get up field and make plays and that’s what I’m doing.”

Stepping in: Fullback Jason McKie sustained a left ankle injury on the game’s opening possession and did not return. With no other fullback on the active roster, McKie was replaced by third-string tight end Gabe Reid.

“That was tough,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “We had to make some adjustments. Give Gabe Reid a lot of credit. He went in and did a great job. He did a great job of preparing mentally because he gets zero reps at fullback during the week.”

Reid gained an appreciation for the rigors of lead blocking, helping to open holes for Thomas Jones (12 carries for 62 yards), Cedric Benson (15-49) and Adrian Peterson (3-5).

“I’ve got that much more respect for ‘J-Mac’ and (rookie) J.D. Runnels and the fullbacks and what they do for this offense,” Reid said. “You just know every time they call a lead play you have to buckle up because it’s pretty much like a car crash every time you go in there.”

Playing time: Ricky Manning Jr. made his third straight start at cornerback in place of the injured Charles Tillman (back), who missed his first game of the season. Cornerback Nathan Vasher returned to the starting lineup after missing the last two contests with a hamstring injury.

Strong safety Todd Johnson also returned after missing the last three games with an ankle injury, but he played as a reserve behind second-year pro Chris Harris.

John St. Clair made his second straight start at left tackle in place of the injured John Tait (ankle). The Bears had been one of just four NFL teams to start the same five offensive linemen in each of their first 13 games.

Road warriors: The Bears’ 7-1 road record in 2006 matched their best for a 16-game season previously accomplished in both 1985 and ’86. Lovie Smith is now 14-10 away from home after inheriting a team that went 2-14 on the road over the two seasons prior to his arrival.