LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears on Friday placed safety Mike Brown on injured reserve and re-signed special teams standout Cameron Worrell, who played with the team from 2003-06.

Safety Mike Brown sacked Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme in a Week 2 loss in Carolina.

Brown exited last Monday night’s win over the Packers in the second quarter after aggravating a calf injury that had forced him to leave two other games this season.

“Injuries are part of our game and losing Mike Brown for the rest of the year is big,” said coach Lovie Smith. 

“He’s meant an awful lot to us. But Mike has been in this situation before, having to come back from an injury, and he’ll do it again.”

Brown was plagued by injuries the four previous seasons but started 15 games this year, the most since he opened all 16 contests in 2003. He registered 101 tackles this season, the third most in his nine-year career. He had 118 as a rookie in 2000 and 111 in 2002.

Brown holds the franchise record with seven career defensive touchdowns. He had two interceptions this season, increasing his career total to 17, the third most among active Bears behind cornerbacks Charles Tillman (20) and Nate Vasher (18).

Rookie Craig Steltz is expected to start in Brown’s place at free safety Sunday when the Bears visit Houston.

“Mike is a great player,” said strong safety Kevin Payne. “Any time you lose a player like that, that is bad for you. We’re going to have to step up and make plays. Mike is a great leader on and off the field, mentally and physically. He’s been a playmaker for us down in the box making plays.”

Worrell originally joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2003. In 2006, he played in all 16 games for the first time in his career, tying Brendon Ayanbadejo for the team lead with 28 special-teams tackles, which also matched a franchise record that had been set by Adrian Peterson in 2004.

Worrell signed with the Dolphins in 2007, but tore his ACL late in the season. He was released by Miami in April and joined the Jets in May. But he was placed on injured reserve Aug. 30 with a shoulder injury that required surgery and was terminated with an injury settlement Sept. 3.

Worrell was working out at home Tuesday when the Bears summoned him to return.

“It feels great coming in here with a playoff atmosphere,” Worrell said after Friday’s practice. “I’ve been to the playoffs with the Bears before. I missed it and I’m glad to be back.”

Worrell is expected to play on special teams and serve as a backup at safety Sunday when the Bears face the Texans, hoping to earn a playoff berth for the third time in four seasons.

“I can go out and play free safety, play strong safety and play on all the special teams,” Worrell said. “I’m kind of a versatile guy. I’ve been through the system. I know what I’m doing. I picked it up fairly quickly when I came back, and I’m just here to add some depth and really do whatever they ask me to do.”