The Chicago Bears produced the NFL's eighth-best passing defense last season, but they're down a man heading into 2013.
Cornerback Kelvin Hayden will miss the entire season with a torn hamstring, the team announced Wednesday. The eight-year pro will undergo surgery, stripping the Bears of their presumed nickel man. Hayden accounted for 37 tackles and an interception last season in two starts. He got 472 snaps -- mostly in defensive subpackages -- and that number was likely to increase in 2013.
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Hayden, who signed a one-year contract in the offseason, won't be easy to replace. Zack Bowman, entering his sixth season, is a logical fill-in. The Bears also have Sherrick McManis, Isaiah Frey, C.J. Wilson and Demontre Hurst at corner.
Coach Marc Trestman's first training camp has been relatively injury-free, but the Bears now have some shuffling to do on defense.
UPDATE: In other injury news, the team announced wide receiver Earl Bennett has a concussion and won't play in Friday's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. The starting slot receiver now has been diagnosed with two concussions in the past nine months.
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