Emma: Bears Have Decision To Make On Pernell McPhee's Health
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Late August marked the first time that Pernell McPhee's name popped up on the Bears' injury report. In the midst of the preseason, the linebacker's knee injury began to linger.
Week 14 of the regular season saw McPhee miss just his second game due to the injury. Had it not been for tremendous toughness, there would've been more games missed this season. Throughout the season, McPhee has playfully denied he's even injured. Ask him about his knee or why he's been listed on the injury report, and you receive a coy denial.
McPhee, 26, was signed as the prize of the Bears' 2015 offseason, to a five-year, $38.75 million deal by first-year general manager Ryan Pace. In McPhee, Chicago landed a skilled edge rusher for Vic Fangio's new 3-4 defense. He's one of the most important assets moving forward -- a difference-maker on defense.
Now, the Bears are 5-8 and the postseason is all but out of reach, and McPhee's knee isn't getting any better with game action. Bears coach John Fox on Monday described the only way the team could've allowed his injury to heal this season.
"Probably not let him play football," Fox said of McPhee's status.
The Bears may be wise to consider that as the course of action for these final three games of the season. Considering Chicago needs to win out and Minnesota needs to lose out -- among various other scenarios -- for a playoff berth, the health of a building block for the future must be considered.
McPhee's knee has gotten worse throughout this season, to the point where he couldn't even play through the pain in Sunday's loss to Washington. Just days prior, Fangio confirmed that McPhee hasn't been anywhere near his best football while dealing with the injury.
"What we've gotten out of him the last few weeks is about all we can expect right now," Fangio said.
On Monday, the Bears shut down safety Antrel Rolle for the season, in what can be considered a precautionary measure. Rolle, 32, suffered an MCL sprain during the final play of the walk-through on Nov. 21, just prior to the Denver game, and he missed the following four games. While the injury often includes a recovery of two to six weeks, playing Rolle through greater risk wasn't worth it for games that have lost their playoff implications.
Fox was asked directly if the Bears would consider the same for McPhee.
"I wouldn't go so far as that," Fox said. "I'll update everyone on Wednesday on the injury report."
If the Bears indeed feel there's benefit to playing McPhee, then it's their right to put him on the field Sunday in Minnesota. His mere presence in Halas Hall is important for the team, even as he's missed practices throughout the season. Make no mistake, Pace and the team will work wisely in making the best decision.
McPhee has five sacks in 11 games this season, a feat that can be considered especially impressive when factoring in his health. If he had played close to 100 percent throughout the campaign, he likely could have reached a double-digit total. McPhee is a 6-foot-3, 275-pound force of a man who brings tremendous burst and power off the edge. Sometimes, the only way to really contain him is holding and hoping the officials don't see it.
Finally given the opportunity as a starter after four years in Baltimore, McPhee more than proved his worth to the Bears. He's an excellent fit for the defense and brings an energy that's palpable to the locker room, with leadership that so many young players chose to follow.
If McPhee can't play without pain in the final three weeks of the season, and most certainly if he's risking greater injury to his knee, the Bears should consider ending his season and looking towards good health in 2016.
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
