LAKE FOREST—The Bears will be without two key players,QB JAY CUTLER and LB LANCE BRIGGS for a month–at least.

The Bears confirmed Cutler has a muscle tear in his groin.HE will be out at least four weeks.Cutler suffered the injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Redskins, after being sacked by defensive lineman Chris Baker.Cutler rolled over Baker as he was being tackled and stayed down.The quarterback was then replaced by back up Josh McCown, who played well, throwing for 204 yards and a touchdown while completing 14 of 20 passes. Jordan Palmer(Carson’s Brother)who was with the Bears in Pre-Season, has been re-signed.

Briggs will miss 4-6 weeks with a shoulder injury,also suffered in Sunday’s loss to the Redskins.The report indicates surgery won’t be needed.The veteran linebacker injured his left shoulder while trying to shed a block in the third quarter on a routine play. Briggs did not return and was replaced by Blake Costanzo.

“Lance is our leader,” head coach Marc Trestman said after his team’s loss. “He’s the guy who makes everything go. He makes the calls and so forth. So you’re going to miss him. But it’s ‘Next man up.’ That’s how you have to operate in this league.”

Costanzo seems to be the likely replacement, but rookie Khaseem Greene could also fill in. Rookie linebacker Jon Bostic is already the starting middle linebacker, replacing the injured D.J. Williams.The Bears’ defense has already lost Williams, Henry Melton and Nate Collins for the season.

The Bears have a Bye this weekend, but a week from tonight,they have a Monday game with Green Bay at Lambeau Field.

LES