The Chicago Bears just can't catch a break on defense.
Lance Briggs will miss up to six weeks because of the shoulder injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Washington Redskins, a source who spoke to Briggs told NFL Media's Albert Breer. The team later announced Briggs has a small fracture in his shoulder and confirmed the timetable for his return.
The injury won't require surgery, Breer reported, but it will strip Chicago of its most experienced linebacker.
On NFL Network
NFL Replay
will re-air the
Washington Redskins' 45-41 win over the
Chicago Bears from Week 7 on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 9 p.m. ET.
Briggs goes on the shelf one week after middle linebacker D.J. Williams was placed on injured reserve with a torn left pectoral muscle. Promising rookie Jon Bostic stepped in for Williams on Sunday and a combination of Khaseem Greene and Blake Costanzo will see increased time in the Will linebacker role vacated by Briggs.
The heart of Chicago's defense is a mess right now. The Redskins chalked up yardage running inside and out Sunday, with Washington running back Roy Helu pounding his way for three touchdowns in a game that saw Chicago give up 45 points.
Greene and Bostic, a pair of newbies, would have been eased into action in a perfect world, but that's not how it's played out this season in the Windy City.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" recapped every Week 7 game.
