CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The Bears lost starting linebacker Roquan Smith after one possession Thursday night, and they could be without him for the rest of the season.
Smith suffered a pectoral injury and exited after the Bears finished their first series on defense a 31-24 win over the Cowboys at Soldier Field. The team will conduct follow-up tests and gather more information on Smith's injury, but coach Matt Nagy indicated it's believed to be serious.
"It doesn't look real good for him," Nagy said of Smith.
It wasn't clear exactly when Smith suffered the pectoral injury, but it occurred during the Cowboys' 17-play, 75-yard scoring drive to open the game. Smith went straight from the field to the medical tent on the Bears' sidelines, then soon headed to the locker room.
In his second season, Smith posted two tackles on the opening drive, bringing his total to 102 this season. Kevin Pierre-Louis filled in for him, posting five tackles -- including a tackle for a loss -- and two passes defensed.
With three games remaining in the regular season, the Bears are prepared to move forward without Smith.
"The way that Roquan has been playing in the last couple weeks, flying around, making plays, you just love that confidence that he's bringing to the defense," Nagy said.
"You feel bad for Roquan, but we know that we have guys that can fill in."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
