Vic Fangio deserves some credit for keeping the Chicago Bears defense respectable. This despite a brutal string of misfortunes over the past calendar year. Most of them having to do with injuries. Every single position on that side of the depth chart was or is still not at full strength due to key losses. Perhaps nowhere is it felt more than at inside linebacker.
The run of bad luck at that position is striking. Since last year they’ve seen each of the notable names playing there get hit with one bad break after another. Danny Trevathan tore his patella tendon last year. Then when he fights his way back to good health he’s slapped with a suspension by the league for a controversial hit in Green Bay.
Jerrell Freeman? He played well in 2016 but lost four games to a PED suspension. One snap into 2017 he tears his pectoral muscle and is done for the year. Last but not least promising youngster Nick Kwiatkoski suffered a pec injury of his own. Chicago is dying for a spark, or at least consistency at that position. Lo and behold a notable name just became available. (continue to next page)
