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Bears LB Urlacher out for season
2009-09-14
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Finally healthy after two years of neck and back problems, Brian Urlacher gave everyone a blast from the past during the regular season opener when he lowered his shoulder and plowed over Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His 10th season was off to a good start. And then, it was over. The Chicago Bears' star linebacker underwent surgery Monday to repair a dislocated right wrist and will not be back this season -- a major blow for a team with high expectations. Team spokesman Jim Christman confirmed the bad news for the Bears. There was no immediate word from Urlacher other than a text message to the Chicago Tribune that said simply: "season is over." The injury occurred in the first quarter of Sunday night's 21-15 loss at Green Bay, though it was not clear when. Urlacher briefly shook his wrist after tackling Packers running back Ryan Grant late in the period, though he might have already been hurt. He played in the second quarter, but left on the Packers' first drive of the second half. "Talk about a guy that's a great leader," said Hunter Hillenmeyer, who replaced Urlacher at middle linebacker. "First, he plays an entire half of football with a dislocated wrist. I don't think there's many people who can do something like that." While the arrival of Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler sent expectations in Chicago soaring, the Bears were also counting on a healthy Urlacher to help them get back to the playoffs after missing postseason the past two years. The six-time Pro Bowler, now 31, appeared to be in better shape after being limited by a bad back and neck the past two years, and he was off to a good start on Sunday. He looked like his old self midway through the first quarter when he flattened Rodgers just as the quarterback released a pass downfield that a leaping Donald Driver juggled and dropped. Later, Urlacher rolled over Grant while making one of his three tackles and briefly shook his wrist before walking away with what looked like nothing more than a minor injury. Now the Bears are without the longtime face of the franchise and a stalwart defendder in a division with top-tier running backs in Grant and Vikings star Adrian Peterson along with elite quarterbacks such as Rodgers and Minnesota's Brett Favre. With Urlacher out, Hillenmeyer could see more time after replacing him on Sunday. If the Bears look for outside help, one option might be former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Derrick Brooks. The 36-year-old Brooks, who was cut by Tampa Bay in February, has a good relationship with Bears coach Lovie Smith dating to his days on the Buccaneers' staff. Zach Thomas, who was cut by Kansas City earlier this month, might also be a possibility. Chicago could also be short-handed in other areas, too. Tight end Desmond Clark took a hard hit after making a catch in the third quarter and left the game with a back injury. Left guard Frank Omiyale also went down for several minutes moments later after spraining his ankle and limping off the field. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa also left in the first half with a knee injury, but Urlacher's injury creates a big hole on a defense that was trying to regain its dominant form after two mediocre seasons.
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