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John Fox Won't Shut Down Bears' Alshon Jeffery, Pernell McPhee

By Chris Emma--

(CBS) Even amid a rebuilding process and with his team now out of the playoff picture, Bears coach John Fox isn't a proponent of shutting down injured players.

Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery was sidelined in practice Wednesday and Thursday due to a hamstring injury, while linebacker Pernell McPhee has been limited with a knee injury, yet neither will be shut down for the final two games of the season, each of which offers little benefit other than competing.

"I put that in the medical peoples' hands," Fox said.

This 2015 season for the talented Jeffery has been a great disappointment in terms of health. He has missed five of the Bears' 14 games, with three different injuries. Last weekend, he battled a calf injury and was able to play in Sunday's loss to the Vikings, catching just one pass for a touchdown before leaving with a hamstring injury.

Jeffery also dealt with a hamstring and calf injury earlier this season, plus a groin injury, too -- in addition to being listed on the injury report last week with an illness. He has been on the injury report for 11 weeks this season. As a result, it seems as if the Bears could extend the franchise tag this offseason.

Meanwhile, McPhee has managed a knee injury ever since August. He played through the pain early on this season but hasn't been the same effective player. McPhee's knee has worsened throughout the course of this year.

McPhee's last sack came on Nov. 1, and he has just 11 tackles since while missing two games. The knee injury has really limited the linebacker.

Year 1 of the Bears' rebuild has brought considerable progress, with what seems to be better days ahead. Still, Fox prefers to look at the week-to-week picture, rather than glancing ahead past these final two games played without playoff hopes.

Fox won't be the one to shut down an injured Bears player.

"I don't really look at it that way," Fox said. "If a guy's available, he's available. I'm not going to deny a player the right to play, whether it's two games or 12 games."

The Bears did shut down tight end Martellus Bennett, who was risking greater injury by playing with a fracture in his ribs, though that was a decision made by the doctors. Safety Antrel Rolle's season ended last week after an MCL sprain suffered in a walk-through was deemed too much to play through.

Fox announced Thursday that linebacker Shea McClellin didn't practice as he remains in the concussion protocol, while safety Adrian Amos, cornerback Tracy Porter, cornerback Bryce Callahan and receiver Eddie Royal were each limited. Currently, 11 Bears are on season-ending IR, and rookie receiver Kevin White has remained on the PUP list, shut down for the season.

But they will move forward -- at least for now -- with intentions to play Jeffery and McPhee through the pain.

Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page

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