Bears' $40-million free agent safety carted off in training camp
· Yahoo Sports
The Chicago Bears may be without one of their key offseason free agent additions when the season begins.
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Safety Coby Bryant sustained an apparent leg injury during the Bears' training camp practice on Monday, Aug. 3, according to multiple reporters present. Bryant reportedly grabbed at his knee after a one-on-one rep in practice and had to be carted off of the field.
ESPN's Courtney Cronin reported that Bryant did not return from inside the Bears' training facility when the team period began at practice. Defensive back Cam Lewis, who also came to Chicago as a free agent this offseason, replaced Bryant at safety during the period, Cronin wrote.
The Bears have not yet announced the nature of Bryant's injury or his status.
Bryant, 27, signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Bears in free agency. It was the biggest contract Bears general manager Ryan Poles gave to a free agent this offseason in terms of years, total value and average annual value ($13.3 million).
Chicago led the NFL in interceptions (23) and total takeaways (33) last year, but the team also allowed the fourth-most yards per game and 11th-most passing yards per game. The Bears allowed five free-agent defensive backs to sign with new teams in free agency, including Kevin Byard, the NFL's interceptions leader in 2025, and Nahshon Wright, who had five picks of his own last year.
Bryant was set to be a starter in the Bears' new-look secondary in 2026. After joining the Seattle Seahawks as a fourth-round pick in 2022, the Cincinnati product struggled in his first two seasons as a cornerback. Seattle moved Bryant to free safety in 2024, and he thrived.
In 2025, Bryant set new career highs in pass defenses (seven) and interceptions (four) while also grading out as one of the league's best safeties in run defending, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bears' $40-million free agent safety carted off in training camp