Nov. 20--Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee indicated his status for Sunday's game against the Broncos will be determined that morning.
On Thursday, his ailing left knee caused him to miss practice for the seventh time in the Bears' last eight sessions.
"It's doing good," McPhee said. "I'm going to leave the game-time decision in coach's hand."
McPhee, whose five sacks lead the Bears, did not join the team in St. Louis for last Sunday's victory over the Rams. The Bears were concerned about how air travel might affect swelling in his knee. But the Bears are host to the Broncos on Sunday, giving them a bit more time to monitor his condition.
"He has shown what he's capable of," coach John Fox said. "I don't know if it's so much showing us any particular thing ... just that he's healthy and mentally in the right place. We evaluate that day-to-day."
Willie Young started in McPhee's place against the Rams and played a season-high 73 percent of the snaps. He had an interception, drew three holding penalties and also was flagged for roughing the passer.
Great minds: Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase didn't have just one all-time great quarterback to learn from during his six seasons as an assistant coach for the Broncos.
Besides Peyton Manning, general manager and Hall of Famer John Elway helped teach him how to work with quarterbacks.
Gase joined the Broncos as a receivers coach in 2009, then became their quarterbacks coach in 2011, the same year Elway re-joined the organization. Gase was promoted to coordinator in 2013.
"We had a few conversations over the years as far as how he would've felt in (situations)," Gase said. "It did help me deal with some things with Peyton as the season (progressed). In 2013, being a first-time coordinator, kind of how he would feel in those situations. It might have helped me communicate with Peyton a little bit better."
Special reunion: The Bears' and Broncos' special teams coordinators each held that same position with the other team last season. Joe DeCamillis will return to Soldier Field, where he coached the last two seasons on Marc Trestman's staff.
Joe D, as he's commonly known, noted to media in Denver on Thursday that much of the Bears' personnel has changed even from last season. But he will be familiar with such veterans as kicker Robbie Gould, punter Pat O'Donnell, cornerback Sherrick McManis, receiver Josh Bellamy and return man Marc Mariani.
"He has had a couple of drops there right now, but knowing that kid, he's going to be working twice as hard to try to get those corrected," DeCamillis said of Mariani. "He's a guy who has three touchdowns in his career. He's a solid guy, so we have to make sure that we tackle well and get after him."
Injury report: Receiver Alshon Jeffery (groin/shoulder), running back Matt Forte (left knee) and receiver Eddie Royal (left knee) did not practice. Rookie center Hroniss Grasu (strained neck) was limited in practice for the second straight day.
