For the second straight year, the Bears will look to Nick Kwiatkoski to help fill the void following the loss of a key veteran. But this time the young linebacker appears to be better equipped to succeed.
Kwiatkoski is expected to see expanded playing time in place of Jerrell Freeman, who is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle he suffered in last Sunday's season opener against the Falcons.
Kwiatkoski was in a similar position last year as a rookie after Danny Trevathan injured his thumb in a Week 2 loss to the Eagles.