Bears were taking no chances with Hillenmeyer

Hunter Hillenmeyer, who will spend the remainder of the season on injured reserve because of a concussion, will be missed.

"It hurts, especially at that Mike (middle) linebacker position," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "Hunter can play a lot of positions for us. He was a core special teams player. Hunter was going to be a big part of what we were going to do. Last year we lost Brian Urlacher at halftime of the first game. Those things come up, and you have to move on."

Hillenmeyer was injured in the third preseason game, and it was not his first concussion, a factor that weighed in the decision to sit him for the season. He had returned to practice the week before last Sunday's season opener and suffered no symptoms.

But Sunday, "He had some (symptoms) without taking a shot, without getting a hit," Smith said. "We had him checked out and let him talk to the medical people. He consulted with them and everyone came to the conclusion that that's what it was. It's not the first time - he's had trouble in the past."

In past years, Hillenmeyer never would have been put on I.R. so soon and probably would have returned in a couple weeks at the latest. But the league has become more sensitive to the long-term effects of concussions, especially in players with multiple concussions.

"It's changed, and it's changing still," Smith said. "First, on what you would call a concussion. Way back in the day, everyone said it wasn't a concussion unless a guy was knocked out. I can vividly recall having a concussion and being knocked out. Nowadays we know a lot more about the injury, (but) there's still a lot to learn. That's why you can't take any chances. And, without trying to play doctor, you let the people who know make those decisions and you go with it."