LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears placed kicker Robbie Gould on injured reserve because of a calf injury suffered Sunday at Minnesota, and used his roster spot to sign veteran Olindo Mare.

"The injury put us in a situation where we didn't know exactly when I could come back, so the decision was made to put me on injured reserve and bring in another experienced kicker," Gould said. "That was the best call for the team. I spoke with Lovie Smith and Phil Emery about it, and we were all on the same page. Whatever can help this team win a Super Bowl, that's what I want to see happen. These guys are working too hard for me to be selfish about this whole thing. It's tough for me personally, but for the team, that's the decision that had to be made."

Gould injured the calf muscle during pregame warmups in the Metrodome before the Bears' 21-14 loss to the Vikings. The injury forced the Bears to use punter Adam Podlesh on kickoffs and prevented the team from attempting any field goals, although Gould did kick a pair of extra points and attempt an onside kick at the end of the game.