Veteran Chicago linebacker Brian Urlacher said this week he plans to play this Sunday in the Bears' first game against the Indianapolis Colts, only a few weeks after having knee surgery.
The Pro Bowl defensive star and possible future Hall of Famer said emphatically that he would play, stating, "I'm playing Sunday. That's a done deal," said Urlacher, according to ESPNChicago.com.
Urlacher sprained the posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee during the last game of the season against Minnesota, according to ESPNChicago.com. He later had multiple medical procedures to repair the injuries.
Urlacher missed offseason and preseason training with the team due to the injuries and three weeks ago he had arthroscopic surgery to help decrease the swelling in his knee.
The linebacker practiced with the team on Monday for the first time since early in training camp when he re-aggravated his knee injury.
"He had a good first day back," Bears coach Lovie Smith told reporters, according to Reuters. "He was one of the guys. Today was back to the normal routine as much as anything. He's got to get in shape. I'm sure he'll tell you that and a few other things like that. But we didn't have any trouble with him today. He's right on schedule."
Last season Urlacher played in all 16 games, had 102 combined tackles and three interceptions.
Although Urlacher may not be fully healed from his injuries, the Bears are better off with him on the field than on the bench. In his career the Bears are only 7-15 when they play without Urlacher. He hasn't missed a game since 2009.
The standout linebacker has been selected to the Pro Bowl eight times in his career and also has spent his entire NFL career with the Bears after being their first round selection in the 2000 draft. He also won the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year Award.
In 2011 the Bears missed the playoffs after getting off to a 7-3 start. Quarterback Jay Cutler fractured his thumb in the middle of the season and the team also lost starting running back Matt Forte to an MCL injury.
Two years ago the Bears reached the NFC Championship game, but lost against the Green Bay Packers.
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