Linebacker Brian Urlacher says he will be fit for the Chicago Bears season opener – NFL News
After being absent since the start of training camp, Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher returned to practice on Saturday, August 11, 2012.
Urlacher missed the first week of training camp due to some personal reasons. He missed the entire offseason as he was undergoing rehabilitation of his left knee.
Urlacher has been recently been complaining about feeling soreness in his injured knee. Yet, he thinks he will be fit to play at the start of the season. Urlacher said:
"Sept. 9, I'll be ready to play for sure. That's really all that matters to me. Preseason games, all these practices ... I'd love to be out there, but I'm not going to put myself in jeopardy of missing the first game."
Urlacher sprained his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and torn his posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) during the last game of the 2011 season while playing against Washington Redskins.
In order to get his knee fit, Urlacher chose the option of rehabilitation rather than surgery. Therefore he failed take part in any of the Organised Team Activities (OTAs) as well as minicamp this offseason.
While talking about his rehabilitation process, Urlacher emphasised that it was going in the right direction with the help of his doctors. He said:
"Our doctors are the best. I trust what they say (and) our trainers. I just do what I'm told to do."
Urlacher did not give any specific date for his return to the field. Bears will start their season against Indianapolis Colts on September 09.
Urlacher wants to make sure that he completely recovers from his injury and be ready to play the entire season. He said:
"Once I get back out there again, we'll monitor my reps, and try to make it where (the knee) doesn't blow up again,"
Urlacher has been a vital part of Bears’ defence. He has got eight Pro Bowls to his name. Bears are currently facing many injury concerns as the start of the season closes by.
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