Last week, Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan suffered a gruesome elbow injury in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions. It’s an injury that’s likely to force him to injured reserve for the remainder of the season — and hopefully not the end of his tenure in Chicago.
But the Bears lost more than just a great defensive player when Trevathan went down. They lost a leader.
“Just his presence, his poise, his leadership,” defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said, via the Chicago Tribune. “He’s out in front of the huddle. He makes all the calls. He’s got the helmet communication. All that stuff, besides being the player that he is and the calming force that he is. You just don’t replace guys like that.”
The Bears should know. This isn’t the first time this season that Chicago will have to adjust to losing one of their best defensive players — and leaders — to injury.
Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was lost to an elbow injury in Week 5 against the Oakland Raiders. He’s eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 15, but the effects of his absence — both from a physical and mental standpoint — have been felt drastically.
The Bears are hoping that’s not the case with Trevathan, who was relieved by veteran Nick Kwiatkoski, who filled in solidly.
“But again, it’s next man up,” Pagano said, “and 44 (Kwiatkoski) came in and did a great job again and capitalized on the opportunity.”
While Kwiatkoski stepped up with the best game of his career, it’s not enough to compensate for the loss of a leader like Trevathan on a defense that needs it.
