Briggs recorded six tackles in Monday's win over the Jets. The tackle opportunities were plentiful on an evening in which the Jets won the time of possession battle, but Briggs wasn't able to capitalize. That's been a familiar refrain thus far for Briggs, who has just 15 stops through the Bears' first three games, well behind the 7.8 per contest he posted in an injury-abbreviated campaign in 2013. His reliable year-to-year tackle outputs in the past would seem to afford him some leash among his IDP owners, but their patience is surely wearing thin at this point. It might be safe to pull the plug on him in shallower formats, where younger linebackers with far better production through the first three weeks are more likely to exist.

Briggs recorded six tackles in Sunday's victory over the 49ers. With just nine stops through two games, Briggs is well off the pace of last season's pace of 7.8 tackles per game. His track record of sustained excellence suggests he should pick up his tackle totals eventually, but it's equally possible the 33-year-old could be entering the decline phase of his career.

Briggs, who finished the preseason with four total tackles in three games, will once again open the season as a starter for the Bears at outside linebacker. Briggs was the center of a mostly overblown non-controversy earlier in the week, when he skipped Monday's practice for the grand opening of his new restaurant. The 12th-year veteran returned to practice Wednesday, and will set his sights on reemerging as the team's leading tackler, after a fractured shoulder cost him seven games last season. With the Bears revamping their porous defensive line in the offseason, Briggs may not be asked to blitz as much, but he'll still be counted on to help stifle the run game.

Briggs suffered a minor knee injury in Monday's practice, ESPN.com's Michael C. Wright reports. Briggs suffered a bruise after colliding with Matt Forte while attempting to stick with the running back in coverage. The Bears are downplaying the injury, and it seems likely that he'll return to practice within a few days.

Bears WLB Lance Briggs is expected to wear a harness on his left shoulder this season.

Bears WLB Lance Briggs (shoulder) returned to a full practice Friday and has been cleared by doctors to play at Philadelphia. Briggs would be a dicey IDP bet in fantasy title week because it's unclear whether he'll play a full dose of snaps. Officially, he's a game-time decision.

Bears coach Marc Trestman is "optimistic" WLB Lance Briggs (shoulder) will play in Sunday night's game against the Eagles. Briggs resumed practicing last week and and participated Wednesday on a limited basis. Barring a setback, he should finally be cleared to return in Week 16.

Bears WLB Lance Briggs (shoulder) is targeting Week 16 for his return. Recovering from a fractured shoulder, Briggs returned to practice on a limited basis this week. He won't play against the Browns, but has a chance to play against the Eagles. The Bears have been using rookie Khaseem Greene at weak-side linebacker in the meantime, and Greene has struggled mightily.

Bears coach Marc Trestman is "not optimistic" WLB Lance Briggs will play in Week 15 against the Browns. Briggs still hasn't gained medical clearance to resume practicing and remains week to week. The Bears have allowed running backs to go over 100 yards in six straight games without Briggs in the lineup and desperately need him to get healthy. Given a a 4-6 week timetable in Week 7, it's possible Briggs is dealing with a setback.

Bears WLB Lance Briggs (shoulder) still hasn't gained medical clearance.