Bears LB Roquan Smith Out for Season With Torn Pec and Will Undergo Surgery
By Mark Powell
Despite their recent surge into playoff relevancy thanks to the play of QB Mitchell Trubisky, the Chicago Bears' defense, which has also performed admirably over the last five weeks, will be shorthanded for the rest of the season.
Roquan Smith, a first-round pick out of Georgia, tore his pec and will miss the rest of the year, per Bears head coach Matt Nagy.
#Bears coach Matt Nagy confirms that LB Roquan Smith has a torn pec and is headed to season-ending Injured Reserve. He’ll have surgery to repair it.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 9, 2019
Still, Smith's struggles in 2019 have been well-documented. Per Pro Football Focus, Smith ranked 51st out of 59 eligible inside linebackers. That's not the kind of production Nagy and Co. imagine from their second-year linebacker entering the season.
Despite the injury and poor production at times this season, Nagy remains optimistic for Smith's future.
Matt Nagy: "I really am excited with our future with [Roquan Smith]."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 9, 2019
After acquiring Khalil Mack from the Oakland Raiders two offseasons ago, the Bears remain dedicated to building an elite defensive unit, with Smith playing a key role moving forward.
As Chicago aims to right the ship and make a late playoff run in a crowded NFC, Smith will have an eye towards next season, hoping to prove his doubters wrong in the process.