Bear Digest

The Best Injury News Bears Could Have Entering Offseason

Jaquan Brisker is said by GM Ryan Poles to be over his concussion issues now and confirmed it himself with a post on X.
Gene Chamberlain|
Jaquan Brisker wil be back despite a third concussion in three seasons and GM Ryan Poles says he's feeling like his old self.
Jaquan Brisker wil be back despite a third concussion in three seasons and GM Ryan Poles says he's feeling like his old self. | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

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Chicago Bears

The impact of losing safety Jaquan Brisker for the season Oct. 6 to a concussion is difficult to measure.

It isn't the past season that is the question with Brisker, though -- it's the future.

With three concussions in three seasons, it seemed serious enough to worry about his career.

However, GM Ryan Poles had good news on Brisker at the season-ending press conference and Brisker himself made a statement all Bears fans had to be happy to read.

"I'll be better than ever..I promise! It's personal." Brisker said via X.

Brisker wasn't the only Bears player with a concussion at season's end. Guard/center Ryan Bates also suffered one.

"In terms of the concussion guys, Brisker and Bates, they're feeling back to themselves," Poles said. "I've got faith in all those guys, that they going to be back ready to help us next year.

"I don't have a specific timetable for their returns, but they're headed in the right direction."

Losing Brisker and also defensive tackle Andrew Billings proved tough to overcome, especially in the run defense. Billings is their best run defender but Brisker is vital in run support as a safety who has some of the responsibilities normally given in many defenses to strong safeties, although he isn't classified as such in their scheme.

The Bears went from 10th against the run a week after his injury to finish 28th against the run.

Billings had surgery to his torn pec muscle right after suffering it at midseason.

"He is out of the sling already, getting stronger," Poles said. "That's no surprise."

Billings estimated the rehab wouldn't keep him from missing playing time.

"I won't be back until I think OTAs or something like that," Billings said. "Just get this right. Get this back healthy. It's not going to hold me back as long as I get it back to the same strength as this side, I'll be all right."

Poles said tackle Braxton Jones already had his surgery on a broken ankle, and cornerback Jaylon Jones had a shoulder operation.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.