Brian Urlacher left Chicago for a couple of days this week after his mother Lavoyda suddenly passed away on Monday at her home in Texas. He returned to practice on Thursday and is expected to play in the game, Sunday at 1:00pm ET.
Urlacher was a force in last week’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons as he recorded 10 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
“Sometimes when you’re going through tough times like he is right now you want to get back with your support group, which is here with his teammates,” Bears head coach Lovie Smith said.
The Bears will need Urlacher, as they play a Saints team that is coming off a tough loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the season opener last Thursday.
The Saints played well but couldn’t keep up with the Packers as they lost a 42-34 shootout. Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 419 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Saints did manage 34 points against a strong Packers defense.
The Saints will be fighting hard to avoid dropping to 0-2, and will be doing it without two of their receivers. Marques Colston, last year’s team leader with 1,023 yards receiving, broke his collar bone last week and could miss up to four weeks. Lance Moore missed last week’s game with a groin injury and his status is unknown at this time.
Jay Cutler also played well last week against the Falcons, throwing for 312 yards and 2 TDs with no INTs aided by Matt Forte, who had 68 yards rushing and 90 yards receiving, along with 1 TD pass.
Both teams put up 30 or more points in their openers, and this could turn into a high scoring game. The team with the better prepared defense is likely to win the day, so the Bears will be very happy to have their leader back with the team. While it has certainly been a very emotional week for Urlacher, he is one of the best ever at his position and his presence could be the difference for his team.
