Chicago Bears Kicker Robbie Gould Recovering from Calf Surgery

Dec 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould (9) celebrates kicking a field goal to tie the game against the Seattle Seahawks at the end of regulation time at Soldier Field. The Seahawks beat the Bears 23-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

When word came out last week that the Bears signed tryout kicker Austin Signor to a three-year deal, I knew something was up.  Yesterday, word from ESPN Chicago that the Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould was still recovering from surgery to repair a ruptured calf tendon, an injury which he suffered during warmups of the December 9th game at Minnesota that cut short his season. 

Gould, who is thirteen weeks removed from surgery to repair his ruptured left calf tendon, welcomes the competition:

"“I’m excited about it, I really am,” Gould said. “Competition is healthy, at every position, and it only makes all the players better. Hopefully I can learn a little bit from Austin, and he can learn a little bit from me. This is exactly what the Bears are supposed to do. All good organizations create competition. It’s healthy. I’m looking forward to it. Competition brings out the best in everybody.”“This competition will only help,” Gould said. “Honestly, some of my best years came when I had another guy to push me in camp and during the offseason program. We’re just being cautious and operating on this timetable to avoid the risk of another injury. I expect to be out there during organized team activities at some point, which is generally when I begin my kicking in the offseason.“I think it’s going to be a great year.”"

Gould is in the final year of his contract, which will pay him $2.93 million in 2013.