Bears rookie safety Jaquan Brisker will miss an extended period of time with a right hand injury, head coach Matt Eberflus said Saturday night.
Eberflus said the Bears were hopeful that Brisker would return before the season opener on Sept. 11, but that the team should find out more information soon.
Brisker hurt his hand in the Bears’ preseason opener against the Chiefs on Aug. 11 but didn’t feel the injury until he woke up the next morning, the coach said.
The Bears drafted Brisker in the second round. He arrived at training camp on time, signing his rookie contract the morning of the day that veterans reported. He and the Bears had quibbled about guarantees he’d receive in Year 3 of the deal.
The team’s coaches have praised the Penn State alum since the day he arrived at rookie minicamp, saying that his knack for takeaways and comfort level in the defense made him a natural fit at the starting strong safety.
DeAndre Houston-Carson started in Brisker’s place Thursday in Seattle.