Brian Urlacher Has Ligament Damage

Brian Urlacher's knee injury looked frightening at first, but the news from the Bears star is good.

According the Chicago Tribune's Vaughn McClure, Urlacher said he has MCL and PCL damage. He does not expect to require knee surgery, but is looking at 10 weeks of rehab and no Pro Bowl. He will have plenty of time to recover as the Bears failed to make the postseason after finishing 8-8.

When Urlacher was injured, it set up one of the more poignant images of the season that said volumes about how his teammates feel about him. Urlacher collided with Major Wright, fell awkwardly on his left leg, and began to writhe on the ground in pain. Urlacher's teammates immediately huddled around him, looking on with crestfallen faces as the Bears' medical staff worked on him.

When he did return to his feet, his teammates were still by his side as he walked to the sidelines. Urlacher, clearly not ready to leave the game, watched and cheered as the Vikings botched a field goal. With a bag of ice attached to his knee, Urlacher put his helmet on and looked as if he was ready to get back in the game. The medical staff had to cajole him into going to the locker room.

Those short moments said more about Urlacher and his importance to the Bears than any statistic. He is know for being all over the field, supporting his teammates in the secondary and in the pass rush. When he was down, Urlacher's teammates didn't want him to be alone. They supported him as he was there for them through so many games.

That's why it took longer than usual for him to leave the sideline. He had to see how the field goal defending unit would do without him. He had to show his teammates he was still there.

That, dear friends, is why a 32-year-old is still the face of the franchise. That's why his teammates were so happy that he made his eighth  Pro Bowl, and why his recovery is so important to the team.

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