Jack Sanborn's rookie season is over as LB heads to IR

The incredible rookie season for Chicago Bears linebacker Jack Sanborn is over. The undrafted rookie from Wisconsin is heading to injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in Week 15's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Coach Matt Eberflus confirmed Tuesday that Sanborn likely would've returned had his injury occurred earlier in the year.

Matt Eberflus thinks Sanborn would have been able to return had the injury occurred earlier in the season. https://t.co/3FZdJsCT9F

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 20, 2022

Matt Eberflus thinks Sanborn would have been able to return had the injury occurred earlier in the season. https://t.co/3FZdJsCT9F

— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) December 20, 2022

Sanborn's ascent to the starting lineup began shortly after the Bears traded Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. His rookie year ends with six starts and a weekly appearance atop Chicago's tackles list.

Jack Sanborn finishes his rookie campaign with 64 tackles, 2 sacks, five tackles for loss, three QB hits and one fumble recovery.

He made 6 starts and appeared in 14 games.

— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) December 20, 2022

Jack Sanborn finishes his rookie campaign with 64 tackles, 2 sacks, five tackles for loss, three QB hits and one fumble recovery.

He made 6 starts and appeared in 14 games.

— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) December 20, 2022

Sanborn emerged as one of the best defenders from a Chicago Bears' rookie class, including second-round picks Kyler Gordon (CB), Jaquan Brisker (Safety), and fifth-round pick Dominique Robinson. It was an impressive crop of first-year defenders who all should factor heavily into the Bears' offseason plan as starters in 2023.