Bears' most promising defender is done for the season...
Bad news for the Bears' defense.
Jack Sanborn�s season has come to an end. The Bears have placed the linebacker on injured reserve, according to The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain.
Sanborn suffered an ankle injury during Chicago's loss to the Eagles on Sunday. With only three games remaining on the schedule and the Bears out of playoff contention, Sanborn won't be eligible to return this season.
This brings an end to what was an impressive rookie season for the native of Lake Zurich, who arrived with the team as an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin and eventually became a starter.
Sanborn is fifth on the team with 64 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery.
«Just his maturity, his ability to handle that space,» Eberflus said when asked what impressed him about Sanborn. «He had a lot of tackling production. He's an impactful player, and we're excited to have him.»
He got his shot with the Bears' first team defense after the trade of Roquan Smith to the Ravens, starting his first game against the Dolphins on November 6 at Soldier Field.
The loss of Sanborn is a blow for the defense and even the fans who have gravitated toward him since he took hold of a starting spot on the defense. But while Sanborn's rookie year is over, he's shown his career is just getting started.
In his replacement, journeyman Joe Thomas stepped up and had six tackles, including the team's only sack.
