The Chicago Bears feel very confident about their new inside linebackers Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. Both of them showed elite talent in flashes during the 2016 season, but each of them also had their downfalls. Freeman was suspended four games for using PEDs and Trevathan suffered a season-ending ruptured right patellar tendon.
Based on Ryan Pace's feedback during the season-ending press conference on Wednesday, it sounds like Trevathan could start the season on the PUP list as he continues to recover.
Trevathan suffered the injury in a game in late November when he planted his foot while being blocked. If he were to start the regular season on the PUP list, which is a definite possibility, he would have to miss at least six games to open the year.
If that were to happen he would likely be replaced by Nick Kwiatkoski. The first year linebacker is coming off an impressive rookie season recording 44 tackles, one sack and two pass deflections. The Bears are excited about his future but obviously didn't expect him to step into a starting role on the defense so soon.
As good as Kwiatkoski looked though, he's not Trevathan. The five-year veteran veteran was on pace for over 130 tackles after recording 66 in just eight starts. The injury is something Trevathan can fully recover from, according to Pace, but it's going to take a while.
“It’s an injury he can fully recover from, so I think we’ll be all right, ” Pace said.
Trevathan, 26, was one of the prizes of the Bears’ 2016 free-agent class, signing a four-year deal for $24.5 million. He's already missed half his first season and it looks like Trevathan could miss the first six games of 2017. Get well soon #59.
