Chicago Bears: Loss of Jerrell Freeman adds to miserable injury history

 The Chicago Bears suffered yet another devastating injury on Sunday, possibly losing Jerrell Freeman for the season. How will the defense cope in his absence?

Sunday’s loss to the Atlanta Falcons may have been far more devastating than it appeared for the Chicago Bears.

First, they likely lost Kevin White to season-ending IR for the third straight season, further wounding a receiving corps that has already lost Cameron Meredith (knee) for the year.

Then, unbeknownst to Bears fans, a chest injury may have cost standout linebacker Jerrell Freeman his season as well.

The Chicago Bears placed Freeman, along with White, on IR this afternoon, a bitter blow to a team that has been plagued by injury issues under John Fox. In addition to potentially suffering a concussion, Freeman also suffered a crippling pectoral injury in Sunday’s game.

Given his placement on IR, he may have sustained a tear. If true, depending on the severity, it could heal naturally or require surgery, which would affect his ability to possibly return. As yet, the Bears have not set a time table for his return.

The Aftermath

Naturally, the Chicago Bears just can’t have anything nice for an extended period of time.

An offense that badly needed production at the receiver position has now lost its top two outside playmakers. And a defense poised to take the league by surprise must now do without one of its best players.

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Peripheral to this story, yet not uninteresting, is the admission by Fox that Freeman’s head trauma may have had something to do with a defensive miscommunication that resulted in Austin Hooper’s back-breaking 88-yard touchdown. Fox implied that Freeman, who was revealed after the game to be in the concussion protocol, may have relayed a sideline call incorrectly, leading to the busted coverage.

If that’s true, it’s hard not to wonder why no one, whether designated spotters or teammates. noticed his symptoms.

And without knowing when Freeman suffered the concussion or the pec injury, another nagging question looms. If someone had noticed Freeman concussion symptoms and gotten him out of the game, might he have been able to avoid further injury? Maybe. Or maybe it wouldn’t have mattered.

I suppose we’ll never know.

Who Steps Up?

Unlike the wide receiver position, however, the Chicago Bears have decent options to replace Freeman at inside linebacker.

After filling in much of last season for Danny Trevathan, the Bears should be confident in Nick Kwiatkowski’s ability to handle the lion’s share of the snaps in Freeman’s place. The second-year player has already proven that he can play the run and stuff ball-carriers in the hole. And, at least in preseason, he showed off improved instincts in pass coverage.

I bet no one’s questioning the decision to draft a linebacker in last year’s draft anymore, are they?

Furthermore, Christian Jones and Jonathan Anderson, newly promoted from the practice squad, can spell Trevathan and Kwiatkowski if necessary. Both Jones and Anderson have started games for the Bears in the past and know Vic Fangio’s system. Hopefully, though, they can stick to special teams for the most part as Kwiatkowski and Trevathan handle business.

But even though the Chicago Bears can weather this storm, it’s truly too bad, both for the Bears and for Freeman’s sakes, that they must. Since coming to the Bears from Indianapolis a year ago, Freeman has quietly morphed into one of the best inside linebackers in the league. And it’s a shame to see his progress and his impact on an ascending Bears defense cut short this season.

Next: How did the Bears grade out on defense Sunday?

That said, Freeman has overcome long odds before in his career. Maybe, if fortune allows, he could be activated sometime after Week 9—when designated players on injured reserve can return. Otherwise, hopefully, he can come back stronger than ever next year.