Thread: Bears' Hardin released from hospital

Brad Biggs
Tribune reporter

5:15 p.m. CDT, August 19, 2012
Bears rookie safety Brandon Hardin was released from a local hospital Sunday and all major tests performed on him came back clear after he was carted off the field because of a neck injury during the third quarter Saturday night at Soldier Field.

Hardin does not have any paralysis issues and he did not lose consciousness after he was injured tackling Redskins tight end Logan Paulsen and dropped his head making the play.

But it is too soon to determine when the third-round draft pick from Oregon State will be available again. According to a source familiar with the situation, Hardin will undergo further tests in two weeks to see when he can be on the field again. The Bears open their season Sept. 8.

Hardin is not in danger of being released but final cuts for the 53-man roster are due Aug. 31 and if the next tests aren’t favorable for a return in the near future, a trip to injured reserve would not be out of the question.

“Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers,” Hardin wrote on his Twitter account. “I can't give an exact update, but the good news is that I'm gonna be ok. And we won!”

Later, Hardin posted a photo of his tackle of Paulsen and pointed out he needed to be “a few inches to the right.”

Starting free safety Chris Conte was also lost to a right shoulder injury and left Soldier Field with his right arm in a sling. But coach Lovie Smith downplayed the injury and right now it is not expected to be serious.



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