Chicago Bears Pessimistic Brian Urlacher Will Be Ready For Week 1

Brian Urlacher has been sidelined most of camp with a left knee injury, a nagging issue which has the star linebacker's status for Week 1 in doubt, says Ian Rapoport at NFL.com.

It's been reported that Urlacher went to Germany for treatment not approved in the United States, which the Bears have been reluctant to discuss but was done with hopes his knee will heal in time for the first regular season game. But Rapoport was told the Bears are pessimistic that Urlacher will be ready by then. Urlacher and coach Lovie Smith haven't been too open about the situation with the media, as the Chicago Tribune pointed out Wednesday.

The Bears have allowed Urlacher to proceed as if he'll play in Week 1, but are preparing as though he won't. Urlacher has said his goal is to be ready for the Indianapolis Colts, but more important to the Bears might be the pivotal Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Internally, the Bears are reported to be as though Urlacher won't be able to go Week 1 and are setting their sights on preparing him for Week 2 vs. the Packers. The Bears obviously hope Urlacher can practice before then, which he hasn't done much of so far this camp.

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Brian Urlacher Injury: Surgeon For Derrick Rose Explains Procedure Possibly Used On Bears LB

Chicago Bears' star linebacker Brian Urlacher reportedly sought alternative treatment on his knee in Europe in late-May or early-June, so CSN-Chicago talked to the surgeon that repaired the ACL of Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose -- Cartilage Restoration Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Brian Cole -- to help explain the medical theories behind alternative procedures.

Cole broke down the platelet-rich "Regenokine therapy" pioneered by German doctor Peter Wehling, and ultimately noted that clinical trials have not been conclusively supportive of the therapy's efficacy. He also said that under the wrong circumstances it could actually create a negative healing environment. Here is the video interview with Dr. Cole, via CSN-Chicago:

It should be noted that no sources have confirmed that this is the actual procedure Urlacher underwent while in Europe, but if you have been wondering whether it will be the panacea for whatever ails the talented linebacker, Dr. Cole cast some doubt on that assumption.

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Brian Urlacher Injury: Urlacher Went To Europe For Knee Treatment

According to Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher sought alternative treatment on his knee in Europe in late-May or early-June. Mulligan's sources are not entirely clear if Urlacher saw Dr. Peter Wehling, the German doctor who famously treated Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez using the "Regenokine therapy" that he pioneered. That is, though, the implication of Mulligan's report.

Neither Urlacher nor the Bears had a comment on the report, which adds a bit of color to Urlacher's tumultuous rehab of his left knee. Urlacher has participated in training camp for only six days so far this offseason, and still maintains that he will be on the field when the Bears take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 of the 2012 season.

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Brian Urlacher's Recent Knee Surgery Was His Third In 2012

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher has had not one, not two, but three knee surgeries this year, according to CSNChicago.com, who confirmed it with NFL sources.

Urlacher hurt his knee vs. the Minnesota Vikings in the Bears' final game of the season on Jan. 1, and underwent a minor procedure shortly thereafter. Sometime during the spring, Urlacher had a second surgery done on the knee. Now, with Tuesday's procedure to attempt to reduce swelling and pain, that makes a triad of operations on the 34 year old star.

It has been a rough week off the field for Urlacher, who recently split up with Jenny McCarthy. Now, he and the Bears face on the field concerns. Both parties must worry about whether or not the knee will be strong enough to withstand the week-to-week grind that the NFL season presents.

In 13 seasons, the veteran linebacker has amassed nearly 1300 tackles and 41.5 sacks.

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Brian Urlacher And Jenny McCarthy Break Up; Ruin Air And Water Show For Everyone

Chicago Bears Linebacker Brian Urlacher Is Walking Without A Brace, Reemphasizes Desire To Play Week 1

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher has reiterated that he hopes to return by the start of the regular season against the Indianapolis Colts.

Bears Training Camp: Chicago LB Brian Urlacher Will Reportedly Be Ready For Opener After Knee Surgery

With the start of the 2012 NFL season less than a month away, Chicago Bears star linebacker Brian Urlacher had arthroscopic surgery on his knee on Tuesday afternoon. In order to quell the storm, Chicago general manager Phil Emery informed Bears sideline reporter Zach Zaidman that the procedure took place solely to speed up Urlacher's recovery time rather than delay it:

Although it's a tad hard to believe that a surgery exactly 26 days before Urlacher's expected return will allow him to get on the field faster, Emery's sheer confidence is good sign for Bears fans. Even if Urlacher's recovery takes a bit longer than expected, he still would have a great shot to be in uniform for Chicago's September 13th trip to face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night in week two.

Stay with this StoryStream for more Bears training camp coverage, and be sure to check out Windy City Gridiron for more Bears football news. Also head over to SB Nation's NFL hub for more training camp coverage from around the league.

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