Chicago Bears linebacker Brain Urlacher returned back to Halas Hall on Thursday after leaving the team to be with family members as they mourned the death of his mother, Lavoyda Lenard.
It's not certain whether Urlacher will practice Thursday or play Sunday when the Bears visit the New Orleans Saint. At this time he is not available for comment.
"I know sometimes when you're going through tough times, it is good for you to do is get back to something you like doing, and football is very important to Brian," coach Lovie Smith said on Wednesday.
The Bears are spending Urlacher as much time as he needs to deal with the situation.
Urlacher, 33, has played all 13 of his NFL seasons in Chicago and is widely considered one of the team's emotional leaders in the locker room.
Since 2008, the Bears are 21-13 with Urlacher in the lineup and 7-8 without him.
On Wednesday, Smith, the organization and several players, adding quarterback Jay Culter, publicly expressed condolences and lent support to Urlacher.
Lenard died in her home outside of Mount Pleasant, Texas, on Tuesday. She was 51. Lt. Brent Smith of the Titus County (Texas) Sheriff's Office said there was no evidence of foul play.
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