Brisker: Without fear of more concussions, he will play the same against the Bears

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker spoke publicly for the first time since a concussion forced him to miss 12 games last season. Brisker assured that he is not worried about the risk of re-injury after returning to the practice field this spring.

“I’m going to keep playing the same way,” Brisker said. “That was the first time I really had a contact injury. His head hit my neck, so he somehow hit his helmet in the right spot. Really, I’m already getting over that.”

Jaquan Brisker

Brisker suffered a concussion after colliding with Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble on October 6, 2024. Tremble was immediately ruled out with a concussion, while Brisker was able to remain in the game and record 85% of the defensive plays.

It wasn’t until later that night that Brisker experienced concussion-like symptoms. After reporting those symptoms to the team the next day, Brisker was placed in the concussion protocol, where he remained for over four months.

“To be honest, my mother asked me every day: ‘Are you okay? Are you ready?'” Brisker said. “I told her I was about to play this week. I really thought I was okay, to be honest. I mean, it was a tough process, a difficult thing. Obviously, I wanted to be out there playing football, but I just couldn’t. Physically I couldn’t. But every day I told my mother, I’m going to play this game. Every time I came here, I just couldn’t get through certain processes.”

Jaquan Brisker

A Brisker, 26, has been diagnosed with a concussion in each of his three NFL seasons, but he did not express concern about the cumulative effect of his head injuries. He said that retirement was not something he ever considered.

“No. With no one, especially with myself,” Brisker said. “Not with my parents. I feel like if my parents, you know, say something, it’s profound. So if it didn’t come from them or it came from me, to be honest, I didn’t hear it.”

Jaquan Brisker

Brisker met with a specialist from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was diagnosed with a vestibular concussion. With dizziness and vertigo as common symptoms, Brisker said he had to retrain his nervous system through a series of exercises aimed at strengthening his reaction skills.

“Just side-to-side movements,” Brisker said. “It’s a lot of catching tennis balls and stuff like that, just trying to track my eyes, get my eyes moving, get my body moving, fast and stuff like that. Just reacting.”

Jaquan Brisker

Brisker characterized the obstacles he faced in returning to the field as a “bump in the road” on his journey. He expressed no fear about what it will feel like when he can make contact with another player when the pads are put on at training camp.

“I want to hit right now,” Brisker said. “So no, I’m not curious. I’m going to play at full speed. I’m going to be a playmaker. Really nothing changes, just that I’m going to be stronger, I’m going to be much more mentally focused. My mind is really like probably five or six years new or whatever the doctor said. I did a lot of work. So I’m really already past it, like I’m really moving forward.”

Jaquan Brisker