Blake Costanzo injury: Special teams star has surgery on thumb

Chicago linebacker Blake Costanzo had surgery on his thumb this week and the six-year veteran was held out of practice on Tuesday. The linebacker, signed by the Bears this offseason for his knack for special teams tackles, should be available after Chicago returns from a bye on Oct. 22 for Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions.

Costanzo played two games after injuring his thumb, and he waited for the Bears' bye week to have surgery on the injury. Costanzo has four special teams tackles this year, second on the team, three of which were solo stops. Costanzo made 17 tackles on special teams for the 49ers in 2011, and was signed over from San Francisco on a two-year, $1.965 million deal this offseason.

Costanzo, a Lafayette College product, has also played for Buffalo and Cleveland in his career. He has not played any snaps on defense for the Bears in the 2012 season.