Injuries were the theme to the Bears season in 2016. It affected almost every layer and went from the beginning of the season all the way through the end. Last year a thumb injury sidelined Trevathan for two weeks, and later a patellar tendon finished his year five weeks early. Vic Fangio was able to talk about the status of Trevathan in his recovery, and it did not sound too optimistic.
A patellar tendon is not an injury to rush back from. Trevathan suffered his injury in late November, and the recovery timetable is set for about six to nine months.