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.
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.
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.
