Chicago Bears LB Brian Urlacher says bye week doesn't help or hurt with knee problems

Despite getting a week of rest, Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher told reporters on Saturday that the team's bye had no effect either way on his knee, via ESPN Chicago:

"It's the same either way. I still practiced last week. The few days off were good and bad because you come back and you get tired on Monday when you practice because you had three or four days off. But it doesn't affect my knee either way. The rest is always good for everybody. No more me than anybody else."

Urlacher has been mum on the status of his knee dating back to the offseason, but the team has taken precautions to perserve his health. Urlacher was one of a few players (including Julius Peppers and Earl Bennett) who sat out of the team's practice on Saturday in order to get more rest.

Urlacher is currently third on the team in tackles, with 30. He is, though, coming off a rather anonymous game in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars – one in which he recorded just two tackles. It was the second time this season that Urlacher notched that total.

The Bears will take on the Detroit Lions on Monday night at Soldier Field with a chance to maintain their lead over the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North.