Brian Urlacher's season appears in jeopardy after the Chicago Bears' six-time Pro Bowl linebacker told the Chicago Tribune his "season is over" in a text message. Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher will not play again this season, a source confirmed Monday to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The six-time Pro Bowler had told the Chicago Tribune in a brief text message early Monday that his season was over. Urlacher left Sunday's 21-15 loss to the Green Bay Packers with a wrist injury in the third quarter. Bears coach Lovie Smith said Urlacher dislocated his wrist, and no timetable had been set for his return. Citing unnamed sources, the Tribune reported on Sunday night that Urlacher will have surgery when the team returns to Chicago. The newspaper reported that Urlacher had an X-ray at halftime, but an MRI was not needed. "It's always tough to have your leader go down," linebacker Lance Briggs said, according to the newspaper. "He knows the defense better than anybody and he communicates everything to everyone else." It wasn't clear which play Urlacher was injured on, but he left on Green Bay's first drive of the second half on Sunday night. Team officials had no other details about the injury. Urlacher made several plays in the first half, including when he lowered his right shoulder into the quarterback Aaron Rodgers after he had released the ball on a third down to send him sprawling. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nfl/news/story?id=4472175
They lose a lot. I know he has a rep for being overrated, but when your coach and your teammates all think you are important... I think maybe they know more than the media does about what impact he has on the team.
That really sucks for the Bears, but if there's any defense that can handle a loss like that, it's their's. Urlacher hasn't been dominant in years, and really it's his playcalling and on-field presence that's going to be missed. Physically, Hillenmeyer (I think that's his backup) is just as imposing as Urlacher.
That's the coaches and teammates job though. Some special teams guy could get hurt on any team and the coaches and players would come out and say the same thing.
Out for the year with a wrist injury? Can't they just put one of those giant casts on it and put him back out there?
Being a Bears fan, I can honestly say we won't miss much. Hell I think Pisa Tinoisomoa's loss of 3 weeks will be worse. Urlacher's value has fallen since the superbowl year, he's gone soft since then and just in general not shown that same fire and intensity. Everyone thought this'd be the bounce back year, but alas here we are again. Latest rumor on Chicago radio has Bears talking to former Tampa Bay LB Derrick Brooks. If we sign DB, then we'd have to move Lance Briggs inside, and leave DB outside. I think that works better anyways, as I think Briggs has over the last year or two outperformed Urlacher and just looks like he'd be a better fit at MLB.
Derrick Brooks would be a nice pick up. I agree with you about Briggs but I thought Brian was moving pretty well last nite.
.....and he's a Vanderbilt alumni. Now you're looking at 4 Bears starters from Vanderbilt. Insane. My head may explode.
Wasn't he finally healthy for the first time in a long time? That's what NBC was saying in the pregame when Kremer interviewed Urlacher.
