Chicago Bears nickelback Kelvin Hayden has been ruled out for the entire 2013 NFL season with a torn hamstring.
Hayden suffered the injury on Saturday night and is due to undergo surgery which will keep him out of action for at least six to eight months.
The 30-year-old was expected to be the Bears' first choice nickelback for the upcoming season having also played in all 16 games for them during the last campaign.
"He's got a severe hamstring," confirmed Bears coach Marc Trestman.
The Bears have also lost defensive end Turk McBride for the season after he ruptured an Achilles tendon in the first week of training camp.