Bears Safety Coby Bryant Set To Miss 4-6 Months After Undergoing Knee Surgery

Safety Coby Bryant, whom the Chicago Bears signed in free agency to a three-year deal reportedly worth $40 million, is set to miss four to six months after undergoing surgery for a left knee injury that was initially expected to sideline him for eight to 10 weeks.

Second-year Bears head coach Ben Johnson provided the official prognosis Tuesday, telling reporters that Bryant's procedure took place this past Friday.

The Bears could get Bryant back in time for the end of the regular season or the playoffs if Chicago returns to the postseason; however, his extended absence is a hearty blow to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's unit.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reported an eight-to-10-week recovery timeline on Aug. 3, noting at the time that surgery wasn't thought to be necessary. That day, the former Seattle Seahawks standout sustained a hyperextended knee, bone bruise and small fracture during practice, per Schefter.

The 27-year-old Bryant went down in a 1-on-1 drill versus tight end Cole Kmet, according to CHGO's Adam Hoge, who reported that the Super Bowl champion DB was emotional as he got on a cart.

The Seahawks acquired Bryant out of Cincinnati in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. While in Seattle, he developed into a surefire starter. This past season, en route to a ring, he piled up 66 total tackles and picked off four passes. He was part of the defensive detonation that blew up the New England Patriots' offensive game plan in Super Bowl LX.

The Bears waded into the free-agency waters to sign him. They've wanted to pair him with rookie safety Dillon Thieneman, whom they selected in the first round of this year's draft. But Bryant's preseason injury has forced Chicago to pivot to plan B at the position. A potential long-term replacement in Bryant's absence is Cam Lewis.

Lewis, like Bryant, is in his first season with Chicago. He spent the first six years of his career with the Buffalo Bills, building a versatile résumé in the backend while spending time at corner, nickel and safety. Lewis, though, reportedly got dinged up in practice on Saturday. The Bears have also brought in veteran Xavier Woods as a result of the attrition.

They'e hoping that Bryant's 2026 season isn't lost.

"He's going to be in a hurry to get back to help us out there at the end of the year," Johnson said of Bryant on Tuesday.