The Chicago Bears are within striking distance of a playoff spot, but they will have to deal with a big loss to their defense on Sunday, as cornerback Bryce Callahan is out for the season with a broken foot.
The Bears announced the diagnosis on Wednesday as they placed Callahan on injured reserve. The cornerback will have to undergo surgery to repair the injury, the team said.
“He’s very valuable, (and) that’s a big loss for us, but Bryce is going to be a part of this thing as we go,” head coach Matt Nagy said.
Callahan, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, was having a career year as a slot cornerback for the vaunted Bears’ defense, and his injury comes at a rough time. In 13 games this season Callahan has six defended passes and two interceptions. He also has two sacks, an underrated component of his game as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio liked to use him on corner blitzes in an effort to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Cornerback Sherrick McManis, who had a strong game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams after coming in to relieve Callahan, will remain the team’s primary slot cornerback as they prepare to face the Packers this weekend at Soldier Field.
