Bears' Kevin Byard has been in constant contact with Jaquan Brisker

Unfortunate news has started to turn into scary news for the Chicago Bears and a key young star of their defense, safety Jaquan Brisker. After sustaining a concussion while delivering a big hit in the win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 5, Brisker has been in concussion protocol ever since.

Brisker's loss has been quite impactful, although his replacement Elijah Hicks, has filled in and more than held his own during that time. Since Brisker has been out, Hicks has totaled 30 total tackles, two fumble recoveries, and two passes defended in what has been a significant jump in playing time. With Hicks replacing Brisker, there have been questions regarding the health, especially long-term health of Brisker, who has sustained three diagnosed concussions in as many seasons.

At one point, Brisker was expected to be out short-term for the Bears, but as the weeks progressed the team continued to list him as week-to-week while he went through concussion protocol. In the time that he's been away, another veteran leader of the defense, Kevin Byard, in his first season with Chicago, has maintained consistent contact with Brisker. Speaking to the media this week, Byard revealed that he's been in contact with Brisker every day since he's been out with the concussion, calling it a tough situation overall.

"It's just a tough situation overall," Byard said.

Brisker's loss is without a doubt a major loss to the Bears' defense, but off the field, the standout safety's long-term health is of the utmost importance. The three diagnosed concussions in as many seasons could cast doubt on not only his availability for the rest of the season, but for his playing career as well.

After he was unable to progress through concussion protocol, the Bears made the decision to place Brisker on injured reserve last week prior to the Packers game. He'll now miss at least the next four games, meaning he'll miss at minimum, nine games this season counting the ones he's already missed.

Here's hoping Brisker gets healthy and overcomes another concussion in his career, not only for the sake of the Bears defense, but for what's most important, his long-term health.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears' Kevin Byard has been in constant contact with Jaquan Brisker