Bears waive former Jet Santonio Holmes

Santonio Holmes' time with the Bears proved to be brief and nondescript. Eighty-seven days, to be exact. Nine games. Eight catches for 67 yards and nine punt returns for 50 yards.

The Bears' hope of getting complementary contributions and the occasional big-play spark from the ninth-year wide receiver never quite materialized. On Tuesday, they waived Holmes, whom the Jets cut in March.

Holmes was signed to a one-year, minimum-salary benefit deal Aug. 16 after receiver Marquess Wilson broke his clavicle during training camp. But Wilson's recovery is nearly complete, and he is awaiting the Bears' official move to put him back on the active 53-man roster off the injured reserve, designated to return list.

A first-round pick by the Steelers in 2006, Holmes was the Super Bowl MVP in his third season. He had his best season statistically the next year, with 79 catches for 1,248 yards and five touchdowns in 2009.

49ers put Willis on IR

A strained muscle in his left big toe has ended the season for 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, who needs surgery. He hasn't played since getting hurt Oct. 13.

Willis, a Pro Bowl selection in all seven of his previous NFL seasons, had missed only six games before this year.

He is a captain and leader of a team that reached the NFC Championship Game in each of the past three seasons. It's a big loss to one of the NFL's leading defenses, although the 49ers are expected to have pass-rushing specialist Aldon Smith back Sunday against the Giants.

Smith is set to begin practicing this week after serving a nine-game suspension by the NFL for violations of the league's substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.

In addition, 2013 All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman could be cleared to practice this week, opening a 21-day window to activate him or place him on injured reserve with Willis. Bowman is recovering from surgery on his left knee after he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments during the NFC title game loss at Seattle last January.

Rookie Chris Borland has filled in for Willis and been spectacular, totaling 35 tackles in the past two games.

Around the league

The Cowboys activated defensive tackle Josh Brent, another step toward his return to the field almost two years after a drunken-driving crash that led to his conviction for intoxication manslaughter. His last game was Dec. 2, 2012, six days before the crash that killed teammate Jerry Brown in the Dallas suburb of Irving . . . Seahawks defensive tackle Brandon Mebane will miss the rest of the season because of a hamstring injury . . . The Jaguars have placed wide receiver Allen Robinson (broken foot) on injured reserve.