LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) 鈥� Just when the Chicago Bears got their first injured player of training camp back to the practice field on Monday, they had a second injury on their first day in pads.
Running back Kyle Monangai returned to practice briefly after missing three straight workouts with a soft tissue injury, but starting safety Coby Bryant went out during one-on-one drills with an apparent leg injury and left the field in a cart.
Bryant, the former Seahawks player who was acquired in free agency, was working against tight end Cole Kmet in one-on-one drills and clutched his left leg near the knee. He was able to get in the cart on his own power, but the scene was scary for the Bears, who are depending on Bryant鈥檚 speed in a revamped starting secondary.
The team hasn鈥檛 announced the nature or severity of the injury and coach Ben Johnson spoke Monday prior to practice. However, ESPN reported Bryant could miss 8-10 weeks with a hyperextension, bone bruise and small fracture.
鈥淵ou know, it always sucks to see,鈥� tight end Colston Loveland said of the injury. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 part of it. You know, he鈥檚 tough, he鈥檚 a dog. He鈥檚 going to be fine.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not worried about it but I don鈥檛 know. We鈥檒l leave that (prognosis) to coach Johnson.鈥�
Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson described Bryant鈥檚 value as more than just speed in the secondary.
鈥淗e鈥檚 come in with the juice,” Stevenson said. “Obviously from practice, when he鈥檚 coming out in the middle of the field to make PBUs, he鈥檚 just a spark plug.
鈥淗e鈥檚 bringing that energy every day and he done won it at the highest level so he鈥檚 not letting nobody slip under the standard.鈥�
Bryant was replaced at safety by both Cam Lewis and Gervarrius Owens. His role is also critical because he is a veteran playing alongside rookie starter Dillon Thieneman at the other safety spot.
The Bears signed Lewis as a free agent from Buffalo, while Owens was on Chicago鈥檚 practice squad last season.
Monangai had been out from Day 2 of training camp and was able to get back on the field for the individual drills. He left when the team went to scrimmage.
Monangai ran for 783 yards on 169 carries with five touchdowns last season as the No. 2 back behind starter D鈥橝ndre Swift. He provides the power punch to Swift鈥檚 speed in Johnson鈥檚 attack.
It could be soon when Monangai is able to rejoin full practices.
鈥淲e鈥檙e taking it day-by-day right now,鈥� Johnson said of Monangai. 鈥淲e鈥檙e working through it. He鈥檚 working hard with his rehab and it should be on the shorter side here.”
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