It has been several weeks since the Chicago Bears welcomed rookie linebacker Roquan Smith back into the fold after getting his first contract worked out.

However, Smith has been unable to take the field in any preseason action due to a hamstring injury. This has now shifted toward the possibility that he will remain out for the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night, according to Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk.

First-round pick Roquan Smith missed training camp during his contract impasse with the Bears, and it now appears he may miss the entire preseason schedule.

The linebacker is still bothered by a left hamstring strain, and has been limited to some individual drills and light running during practice. That makes it seem unlikely they’d put him out there for his first game action in Thursday’s preseason finale.

The Bears have slotted Smith to play a significant role in the defense as possibly their starting middle linebacker to anchor their front seven. However, this hamstring injury has limited his ability to fulfill that spot at this point with him instead of being forced to be sidelined for what looks like the entire preseason. This could also put his status for the season opener in jeopardy as well.

Smith has proven to be a highly talented player after putting together an impressive collegiate career where he developed into one of the nation’s best linebackers, capped off by a strong 2017 campaign where he won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year along with the Butkus Award, which is given to the country’s top linebacker. This has all put him in line to possibly step in the next superstar linebacker in Chicago.

In the meantime, the Bears will likely continue to monitor the situation with the hope that he can be ready to for the season opener against the Green Bay Packers.