Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant has undergone knee surgery following a recent training camp injury, significantly shifting his recovery timeline.
Bryant is now expected to miss four to six months while recovering from the procedure, according to ESPN. Chicago remains hopeful that the veteran defensive back could return in time for a potential postseason run.
The updated timeline comes after initial reports suggested Bryant would avoid surgery. The safety sustained a hyperextended knee, a bone bruise and a small fracture during a one-on-one drill against tight end Cole Kmet during practice on Aug. 3.
Bryant was originally projected for a recovery period of eight to 10 weeks, which would have allowed Bryant to return during the regular season. However, the decision to proceed with surgery extended his recovery window.
Chicago acquired Bryant during the offseason on a three-year, $40 million contract after winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2025.
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Bryant’s extended absence creates additional depth concerns for Chicago’s secondary. Backup safety Cam Lewis, who stepped into first-team reps following Bryant’s initial injury, was reportedly carted off the field on Aug. 8 after suffering a right ankle or foot injury during training camp drills.
With Bryant sidelined and Lewis facing health uncertainty, the Bears will rely more heavily on rookie safety Dillon Thieneman, whom Chicago selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
