Injuries have been a relatively minor issue for the Bears this season, but their list of concerns this week is alarming. And their best player is at the top of it.
Pass-rushing star Khalil Mack, the most expensive defensive player in the NFL in terms of salary-cap hits this season, missed practice Wednesday as the Bears began preparing to face the Saints. Mack appeared to hurt his left ankle trying to make a tackle in the third quarter against the Rams on Monday.
While Mack has missed just two games in his seven-year career, the accumulation of injuries is growing. He has been playing through knee pain all season, prompting the Bears to limit his work in practice, and was out part of last week with back trouble.
Mack at partial strength isn’t enough for the Bears considering that, financially and strategically, they have more riding on him than any other player.
Their $70 million splurge on fellow outside linebacker Robert Quinn in the offseason was a direct effort to create more one-on-one opportunities for Mack after opposing offenses did everything possible to slow him down last season, when he managed 8.5 sacks — lowest since he was a rookie.
