Bears rookie Alshon Jeffery out with broken hand

The Chicago Bears are expected to be without rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery until sometime in the second half of the season.

Jeffery, who is second among NFL rookies with 14 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns, suffered a broken right hand on a 10-yard touchdown catch in Sunday’s 41-3 whipping of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jeffery got inside position on cornerback Rashean Mathis on a slant route and used his large frame to get open and make the play but was injured on the tackle in the end zone.

"He'll be banged up for a while,'' Bears coach Lovie Smith said Monday night on WBBM-AM 780. "We know we're going to get him back sometime this year."

The Bears probably will not seek help on the street at this point. Earl Bennett has missed the last two games with a left hand injury and he is expected to be ready for the team’s next game Oct. 22. The Bears have a bye this weekend before hosting the Detroit Lions on “Monday Night Football.”

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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