The Chicago Bears have been hit with the injury bug as of late.
After seeing six starters go down with injuries in Week 13 against Minnesota, three starters suffered injuries on Sunday.
LB Brian Urlacher left the game in overtime on what turned out to be the last play in the Bears’ 23-17 loss to the Seahawks.
Urlacher exited the game with a hamstring injury. It was reported that he heard his hamstring “pop” on the second to last play of the afternoon.
According to sources, he could miss the next three games and maybe even the rest of the season. He underwent an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed he had a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
Sportsinjuryclinic.net defines a Grade 2 hamstring strain as “a partial tear in the muscle.”
He is hoping to return for the playoff push if the Bears are eligible for the playoffs by the time of his return.
For the meantime strong side linebacker Nick Roach will move over to the middle, while Geno Hayes will take Roach’s spot at the strong side position.
LB Dom DeCicco was signed on Tuesday to take over for Hayes on special teams.
Another key injury to the Bears’ defense took place late in Sunday’s loss. CB Tim Jennings was in noticeable pain after getting trucked by Seahawks FB Michael Robinson, who knew right when he hit Jennings it was bad news.
According to ESPN Chicago, Jennings had his right arm in a sling on Tuesday. He needed help getting dressed after the game on Sunday.
His status for Sunday is in doubt with his shoulder not in the best shape right now. Kelvin Hayden will slide into the lineup if Jennings can’t go, while D.J. Moore will move back to the nickelback position.
WR Earl Bennett suffered a concussion on Sunday and will likely be out when the Bears travel to Minnesota this week. WR Devin Hester missed last week’s game with a similar concussion, but says he’s “getting better as the days go,” via ChicagoSunTimes.com.
With the possibility of Bennett and Hester both out the Bears need someone to step up on offense.
Possibly the only good bit of injury news for the Bears is about rookie WR Alshon Jeffery, who appears to be on track to return this Sunday, according to sources.
He reportedly did some light running to test out his knee this past Saturday and ran routes at half-speed during pre-game warmups on Sunday. He’s missed the past two games with a minor knee injury.
Getting Jeffery back would be a huge boost to this offense. With the defense likely missing two starters in Urlacher and Jennings, the Bears could use all the offense they can get right now.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
