The Chicago Bears have confirmed they will be without linebacker Lance Briggs for six weeks because of a shoulder injury.
Briggs sustained a small fracture of his shoulder during his side's defeat to the Washington Redskins in a collision while making a tackle.
The injury won't require surgery but it will take over a month to heal and will strip the Bears of their signal caller on defense.
The Bears announced on their official website: "Linebacker Lance Briggs likely will be out around six weeks with a shoulder injury that includes a small fracture."
Briggs becomes the latest in a long line of injured players for Marc Trestman's side who are already without defensive tackles Nate Collins and Henry Melton for the year as well as linebacker DJ Williams, who is also out for the season.
The Bears also lost quarterback Jay Cutler in the game for four weeks with a torn groin muscle.
Simon Sinclair
