The Chicago Bears lost starting defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek to what coach Lovie Smith called a “serious” arm injury during their 34-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.

“It isn’t looking good,” Smith said.

The injury came a week after starting cornerback Nathan Vasher was lost for the season because of a broken hand.

Chicago Bears defensive back Nathan Vasher has a fractured right hand and will miss Sunday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings when the teams meet for first place in the NFC North.

Vasher, who’d missed three games earlier this season with an injury to his right wrist and thumb, was hurt Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. Bears coach Lovie Smith said Vasher also reinjured his right thumb.

“He’ll be out for a while,” Smith said.

The stakes are high in Sunday’s Bears-Vikings clash. WhatIfSports.com says the winner is playoff-bound while the loser is done.

It would have been easy for Brad Childress to let this one slide.

His Minnesota Vikings were preparing for a game they absolutely needed to win in a situation - on the road and outdoors - where they have struggled historically.

So when star running back Adrian Peterson arrived late to the team’s weekly pregame meeting Saturday, it would have been hard to blame the coach for looking the other way to keep his best player on the field against Jacksonville.

Pacman’s almost back. Reggie Bush isn’t. And the Vikings and Saints are waiting in limbo. Jay Glazer has all the day’s NFL gossip.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen will not be suspended for a spate of late hits.

Coach Brad Childress said he was told by the NFL that Allen will be fined $25,000, but not punished further. Allen was summoned to the league office Tuesday to talk about his play. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier went with him.

Allen was fined $50,000 for two late hits earlier this month on Houston quarterback Matt Schaub, one that injured his knee.