Bears' Bryant out 4-6 months after knee surgery
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- Ben Johnson announced that safety Coby Bryant underwent knee surgery on Aug. 7 — four days after hyperextending his left knee and sustaining a bone bruise and small fracture during one-on-ones — and will be out 4-6 months.
- The Bears secondary has been decimated by injuries, with cornerback Kyler Gordon and backup safety Elijah Hicks on PUP, reserve defensive backs Gervarrius Owens and Dallis Flowers lost to significant leg injuries last week, and Cam Lewis hurt during Saturday's practice.
- Xavier Woods, a 10-year veteran safety signed Friday, played opposite first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman with the first-team defense on Sunday and figures to start in Bryant's and Lewis' absence.
- Bryant was Chicago's marquee free agent acquisition this offseason, signing a three-year, $40 million contract alongside Thieneman to replace Kevin Byard (New England) and Jaquan Brisker (Pittsburgh), who were part of a defense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL with 33 takeaways.
- Johnson also provided updates on wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin), who is "hopefully" ready for the Sept. 12 opener at Carolina, and left tackle Ozzy Trapilo, who could return from PUP by the end of training camp after rupturing his patella tendon during the playoffs.
- The Bears sought multiple opinions on Bryant's injury, which ultimately led to the surgery decision, and Johnson said Bryant "gonna be in a hurry to get back to help us out there at the end of the year."
Why it matters: The Bears committed $40 million and a first-round pick to overhaul their safety unit this offseason, and now both starting spots are held by a rookie and a veteran signed five days ago — before the season even begins — with the secondary's depth chart already gutted by injuries.
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