Brandon Marshall Reportedly Out for Season with Rib, Lung Injuries

After exiting the Chicago Bears' 41-28 loss against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday due to a hard hit he sustained in the second quarter, star wide receiver Brandon Marshall will reportedly miss the remainder of the season.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news on his Facebook page:

The injury occurred midway through the second quarter as the Bears were driving into Dallas territory. Marshall caught a 15-yard pass from Jay Cutler to move Chicago to the Cowboys' 15-yard line, where he collided with Dallas safety Barry Church. Church's knee made contact with Marshall's back, causing the Bears receiver to remain down on the field.

Marshall immediately went back to the locker room, and an ambulance took him to the hospital at halftime. 

According to Bleacher Report medical expert Dave Siebert, there's a specific reason why Marshall was loaded into the ambulance connected to a heart monitor:

Marshall took to Twitter late Thursday night to assure fans that he was in good spirits despite the injury:

Marshall's injury caps what has been a disastrous season for Chicago. The loss to Dallas in Week 14 dropped the Bears' record to 5-8, last in the NFC North, and marked the third game in which they have allowed at least 41 points. 

The 30-year-old Marshall is tied with Alshon Jeffery for the team lead in touchdown receptions (eight) this season, to go along with his 61 catches for 721 yards. This will be the first time since 2010 that he won't play all 16 regular-season games. 

Without him around to finish the season, expect Jeffery and Josh Morgan to see an uptick in activity. Marc Trestman's offense would still like to stretch the field, and those two receivers are the next best options with Marshall out. Fans can also expect to see Martellus Bennett continue to work the middle of the field.