Updated

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher underwent a knee procedure on Tuesday, but is expected to ready for the season-opener in September.

According to the team's website, Urlacher had an arthroscopic debridement to help reduce swelling in the left knee. He suffered sprained ligaments in the knee in last season's finale against Minnesota.

Urlacher had said Sunday he intended to be ready for the opener against Indianapolis despite missing about a week of workouts for what he and the team said were personal reasons.

"I practiced the first four or five days and felt pretty good, then it got sore and a little swollen," Urlacher told the assembled media. "Preseason games, all these practices, I'd love to be out there, but I'm not going to put myself in jeopardy of missing the first game."

Urlacher will enter his 13th season with the Bears in 2012. He registered 102 tackles and three interceptions in 16 games last season, earning his eighth Pro Bowl selection.