Overview
- During the Bears' first padded practice on Monday, Coby Bryant went down clutching his left knee after a one-on-one rep with tight end Cole Kmet and was carted off the field.
- Team and league reporting confirmed Bryant has a hyperextended knee with a bone bruise and a small fracture and is expected to be sidelined about 8 to 10 weeks with no surgery anticipated.
- Coaches have shifted Cam Lewis toward the safety spot and are accelerating Dillon Thieneman's role while giving more snaps to reserve defensive backs as the team retools the starter group.
- Teammates described an emotional scene when Bryant left practice, underscoring the loss of a planned veteran leader and the immediate personal and leadership gap in the secondary.
- The injury deepens a thin safety room that already has sidelined players and could prompt the Bears to monitor early-season availability closely and consider veteran additions if depth problems persist.