Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher has a broken hand, which will cause him to miss Sunday night’s game at Minnesota.

Both teams are 6-5.

The injury could knock Vasher out for the rest of the season.

He’ll be out for a while,” coach Lovie Smith said Wednesday.

Smith wouldn’t say whether Vasher will be placed on injured reserve.  The condition won’t require surgery.

Much is riding on Sunday night’s game.  If the Bears win, they’ll essentially have a two-game lead over the Vikings, since the Bears will own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Bears defeated the Vikings at Soldier Field in October, 48-41.