MOBILE, Ala. -- Bears center Olin Kreutz will have surgery Thursday to repair an ailing Achilles tendon.
The six-time Pro Bowler, who was an All Pro in 2006, is expected to need four to six months to recover and should return in time for training camp.
PHOTOS: Olin Kreutz in action.
The Bears captain missed part of camp in 2008 because of the injury, which has made it difficult for Kreutz to push off and get leverage. Following surgery, he is expected to return to form, stronger and better.
While questions about Kreutz's future with team surfaced during a disappointing 2009 season, he is singed through 2010. New offensive line coach Mike Tice has raved about Kreutz as the anchor of the offensive line.
Kreutz sought a second opinion on the injury after the season and moved quickly to have the surgery to ensure he's ready to go for 2010.
Tice's work rebuilding the line will begin without Kreutz in spring drills, creating an opportunity to see what Josh Beekman offers the Bears in that role, though it is unquestionably Kreutz's job in 2010 once he returns.
Photo: Olin Kreutz on the offensive line against Green Bay. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)
All Bears news delivered to your mailbox on Friday and Monday mornings. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
I'd like some of you calling Kruetz a clown, a bozo, or other derogatory terms to say it to his face.
He's in decline, but there is no reason to disrespect him in that manner. He has given his heart for this team.
But of course, that doesn't matter to meathead fans with keyboard musclies.
Go say it to his face, and see where he sticks his achilles.
Stick a fork in him. His game was in decline and Achilles injuries are the worst.
Beekman is your new starting center.
Ole Cuttler.
Joe, Olin has had this injury sense 2008, he should have gotten it fixed last year but decided not to. Its also not the first time he has had problems with that tendon. He has been playing with this injury for a couple of years.
I talked about this a couple years ago with you wondering why he declined surgery. Its never made sense that he played with it for two seasons, other than that they may have hoped it healed naturally.
I don't know why he was playing at the end of the season, but he played as bad if not worse than Omiyale at guard this year. But should you really be surprised at how they handled Olin. They never benched Pace even though he was getting Cutler killed. The left Williams at RT where he was a disaster, they left Shaffer on the bench even though he is clearly a better RT than Williams. Yet leaving Olin in surprises you? Hahahaha
The SunTimes is reporting this story is very inaccuate - according to Kruetz' agent. Great job, Trib. Reporting in the Internet age is questionable at best. can't rely on what you read ANYWHERE is the lesson I guess.
Joe Felicelli, Tom the bear, youre correct. Once we were out of it Lovie should have played Beekman but I guess that would make too much sense.
He "moved quickly to have the surgery to ensure he's ready to go for 2010."?? Season's been over for a month, Olin moved just as quick on the field.
Center still ?, With all the time he spent in the backfield I could have sworn he was the Bears starting fullback last year......opps
Why is it " unquestionably " his job once he returns. I don't get it. The guy has been done for at least two years. He spends most of the time on his rear next to the sacked QB.
"Anchor of the offensive line"? WHAT offensive line?.?.? Yeah, Olin's a "anchor" alright...Going down with the ship.
bba on January 28, 2010 6:30 AM
erikj on January 28, 2010 2:03 AM
"I don't care how many pro bowls this guy has. I think his poor blocking lead to Grossman, Orton, and Cutler looking bad. Bears, please, pick up a new center."
erikj you're an IDIOT! Did you watch single game?
How many have YOU watched. His statement was dead nuts on. Kreutz was owned more times than not and should have been dealt two years ago. The Bears are a better team without him.
Looks like one more year with Olin Kreutz which is fine but we need to sign Eugene Amano the left guard of the Titans who is an UFA. He played left guard for a 2000 yard rusher and also played center in college so we can move him over to center once Kreutz expires and/or retires. We can move Omiyale to tackle and have him compete with Shaffer for the right tackle spot. Another guy we should be all over is Aaron Kampman a pass rushing left end to replace Wale. Doing these two things will greatly improve both our D and O lines for next year. All our other needs will most likely have to be addressed in the draft. I am all for us signing TO cause he would give us a big physical WR who can run block and he may just get Lovie fired while he's at it.
Um Yeah, more non sense, he should of had surgery a month ago letting Beekman get some time
Ugh, Olin stinks and has stunk for a long time.
Last year will be his painfully last
I do not question Kreutz' toughness, but the lack of common sense of this organization is downright scary. An undersized center who relies fully on leverage and quickness with a bad achilles tendon? What in the holy he!! was he doing in the games? We saw him get pushed around like he was on skates by bigger DTs, and yet Lovie kept allowing him to go out there. There is no way that they did not notice this, or know about it.
I do not blame Olin, as players want to play no matter what. But why not get him his surgery in October/November, and let Beekman get some experience at center, so if he does not work out, Kreutz is back to full speed in April/May for Minicamp, instead of full speed for the opening of training camp. The surgery means no lower body workouts for a while, which hurts his 2010 season preparation.
Again, not faulting Olin for wanting to play, but faulting the fanatical devotion to playing the starters so as to not offend them for benching them for their own good.
quickly? - the season is a month over !!!
erikj on January 28, 2010 2:03 AM
"I don't care how many pro bowls this guy has. I think his poor blocking lead to Grossman, Orton, and Cutler looking bad. Bears, please, pick up a new center."
erikj you're an IDIOT! Did you watch single game?
well i guess all u naysayers can kick yourselfs in the a$$, Olin is and always will be a TRUE BEARS PLAYER Means as hell and fight to the death of them all. Olin will make the pro bowl next year and then hand the rains to Beekman
I don't care how many pro bowls this guy has. I think his poor blocking lead to Grossman, Orton, and Cutler looking bad. Bears, please, pick up a new center.
Olin Kreutz has one more year left in him, especially after this surgery.. That means the bears get smart and draft KRIS O'DOWD Center from USC in the 2011 Draft.
One of the strange things about football is that players play hurt, and we as fans have no idea how the injury affects their play. Kreutz very well might have been a warrior while we thought he was over the hill. Who knew?
Football season is long over and we still get off season surgery as the main headline!