Stenstrom Joins Other Injured Bears

The Chicago Bears are beyond banged up, and the injured list grew again Wednesday.

Reserve quarterback Steve Stenstrom was the latest casualty, lost for the season because of a broken bone in his right foot. The Bears immediately signed Shane Matthews, their third-stringer from 1993-95, to a one-year deal.

Matthews, cut twice by the Bears, joins veteran Dave Krieg and rookie Mark Butterfield, signed only last week. Neither Matthews nor Butterfield has played in a regular-season game.

“We could change our names to the snake-bitten Bears,” said linebacker Bryan Cox. “I’ve never been on a team in my life with this many injuries.”

In addition to quarterback Erik Kramer (herniated disk), who is out at least six weeks, running backs Raymont Harris and Robert Green also are out because of knee injuries, and defensive tackle Jim Flanigan is doubtful for Sunday’s game in New Orleans because of a calf injury.

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San Francisco 49er quarterback Steve Young’s groin injury appears to be more serious than originally thought and the latest examination revealed tears in a ligament attached to his pubic bone.

Young was held out of practice Wednesday and Coach George Seifert said he will decide later this week whether Young or Elvis Grbac would start Monday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Young, who has sat out the last two games, said he will try to practice today.

Meanwhile, fullback William Floyd took a big step toward returning from a knee injury last Oct. 29 when he resumed practicing.

Floyd remains on the physically unable to perform list, but Seifert didn’t rule him out for the Green Bay game.