If the Bears do advance to the playoffs, it looks like linebacker Brian Urlacher would have a good chance of playing in their first game.
His chances of helping them get to the playoffs are still up in the air. Urlacher, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury, was able to return to the practice field on Friday for the Bears. Coach Lovie Smith said he was “encouraged” Urlacher was able to practice, but still referred to him as doubtful to play in the game because they wanted to see how he responded to the practice. Smith then grew a little peeved at more questions about Urlacher’s status.
“You guys can write whatever you want to about Brian. I can"t tell you any more,” Smith said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “So you can talk amongst yourselves to try and figure that out. He had a limited practice. He hadn’t done anything and today he was able to do a little bit. I can’t give you much more than that. All right?”
With a playoff spot and his own future possibly on the line, you’d imagine that the Smith will give Urlacher every opportunity to get on the field as long as the state of his hamstring won’t limit him to the point that he can’t help the defense. We’re not sure where Smith would draw that line, but it’s probably best not to ask him.