The Bears are down a defensive starter for Thursday night’s game vs. the Cowboys — and one with deep knowledge of Dallas to boot.
Defensive tackle Jay Ratliff is among Chicago’s seven inactives, the club announced on Twitter.
Ratliff, who rose to prominence with the Cowboys, was limited all week with a knee injury. The 33-year-old interior lineman has notched 27 tackles and 4.5 sacks in eight games (all starts) with Chicago (5-7) this season.
Also inactive for Chicago is placekicker Robbie Gould, who was doubtful with a right quadriceps injury. Ex-Cardinals placekicker Jay Feely will take over the placement and kickoff duties in Gould’s absence.
Gould has hit 9-of-12 field goals this season, forcing touchbacks on 21-of-53 kickoffs.
The Bears’ other inactives are offensive linebacker Eben Britton, linebacker Khaseem Greene, defensive back Terrence Mitchell and linebackers Darryl Sharpton and linebacker Cornelius Washington. Sharpton had been ruled out with a hamstring ailment, while Washington (chest) was doubtful.
The Cowboys (8-4) have scratched the following seven players, per the club’s website: offensive tackle Donald Hawkins, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (chest), safety Jeff Heath (thumb), offensive tackle Tony Hills, cornerback Tyler Patmon (knee/ankle), quarterback Dustin Vaughan, linebacker Dekoda Watson (hamstring).
A notable name missing from the inactives is defensive tackle Josh Brent, who will be on the Cowboys’ active roster for the first time all season. Brent has not appeared in an NFL game since a December 2012 driving accident in which teammate Jerry Brown was killed. Brent was convicted of intoxication manslaughter in connection with the incident.