Coming off a surprising 2025 season, the Chicago Bears set their sights on one major free-agent acquisition to push the defense forward in 2026. But those plans are on hold momentarily after safety Coby Bryant sustained a knee injury at training camp that will keep him out 8-10 weeks, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bryant, 27, signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Bears this offseason. He sustained a hyperextended knee, bone bruise and small fracture during practice.
Bears safety Coby Bryant is expected to be sidelined 8-10 weeks due to a hyperextended knee, bone bruise and small fracture that he suffered at today’s practice, per sources. No surgery is expected to be needed. pic.twitter.com/LxaZFt4hPP
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 3, 2026
Bryant injured his knee during a 1-on-1 drill vs. tight end Cole Kmet. Bryant was reportedly emotional upon sustaining the injury and needed to be carted off the field, per CHGO.
It’s a significant blow for Chicago, which lost both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in the offseason. Byard and Brisker started for the team last season.
With both starting safeties gone, the Bears quickly identified a replacement in Bryant and then turned to the draft to select Dillon Thieneman in the first round. Bryant and Thieneman were expected to give the Bears a promising duo in the secondary.
This story will be updated.
