Already down several key players due to injury, the Bears look to have lost another. A torn triceps injury will shelve outside linebacker Willie Young for the season’s remainder, Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reports. The Bears have yet to announce this, currently slotting Young as doubtful for their Monday-night game against the Vikings.
This setback will require surgery, per Wiederer, and strip the Bears of another starter. They’re already down defenders Jerrell Freeman and Quintin Demps — each residing on IR — while wideouts Kevin White and Cameron Meredith were previously lost to severe injuries.
Young is in his fourth season with the Bears. The team extended him last year, with the $13.55MM pact running through next season. This will reduce the Bears’ outside linebacker rotation to Pernell McPhee — who’s also experienced extensive injury troubles since coming to Chicago — Leonard Floyd and Sam Acho. Wiederer adds the Bears will consider promoting Isaiah Irving off the practice squad; the team signed Howard Jones earlier this week.
The 32-year-old Young has two sacks and seven tackles this season. He now has 26 sacks since coming to the Windy City in 2014. Most of Young’s guaranteed money came during this season, so the Bears may have a decision to make after the season. However, Young has a history of overcoming severe maladies. He bounced back from an Achilles’ tendon tear in December 2014, played in 16 games in 2015 and earned the Chicago extension on which he’s currently playing.