The Bears could be without Brian Urlacher for the rest of the regular season because of a hamstring strain, according to a report from Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.
The report, citing a pair of sources familiar with his injury, said Urlacher had a Grade 2 hamstring strain and could miss the next three games. The hope is that he’d return for the playoffs, with the Dec. 30 regular season finale a possibility.
Urlacher strained his hamstring on the next-to-last play of Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. He said he heard a “pop” as he chased Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, but when reached by the Tribune Tuesday, declined to comment on the injury.
Nick Roach will likely replace him in the middle, with Geno Hayes sliding into the starting lineup at Roach’s strong-side spot. The Bears re-signed linebacker Dom DeCicco Tuesday for depth.
It’s not what the Bears need while fighting for playoff position, or what the 34-year-old Urlacher needs at a time when he’s looking for one last contract from the Bears.