Bears’ Mack slowed by ankle injury with Brady, Pats up next
Chicago Bears star pass rusher Khalil Mack is day to day because of an ankle injury, coach Matt Nagy said on Wednesday.
Mack was hurt early in last week’s overtime loss at Miami and his 2018 streak of at least one sack and one forced fumble in each game ended. Playing without the two-time All-Pro would be a huge blow, particularly with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots visiting on Sunday.
“We’re just going to continue to keep an eye on it and make sure whatever we do, we’re more cautious than anything,” Nagy said. “I believe in that and I think it’s important to go that route.”
Mack has not missed a game since Oakland drafted him with the No. 5 overall pick in 2014. Chicago acquired him from the Raiders just before the start of the season, after he held out the entire offseason and preseason trying to secure a long-term deal rather than play under the final season of his rookie contract. He and the Bears then agreed to a six-year, $141 million extension that guarantees $90 million.
The trade for Mack has energized a franchise with four straight lastplace finishes in the NFC North. Despite the loss at Miami, the Bears (3-2) remain in sole possession of the division lead for the first time since late in the 2013 season.
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A journeyman already at age 27, Osweiler will start his second game in a row for the Dolphins (42). They announced that Tannehill will not play against the Lions because of an injury to his throwing shoulder. Tannehill also missed an overtime win against the Chicago Bears last Sunday, and Osweiler stepped in to throw for a career-high 380 yards and three TDs.
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MANNING TEAMS UP WITH BRYANT FOR NFL VERSION OF ‘DETAIL’ >> Peyton Manning will be doing analysis of NFL games this season after all. ESPN and Kobe Bryant’s Granity Studios announced that Manning will be part of a football edition of the “Detail” franchise. The eight-episode series will be on the ESPN+ streaming service and debuts today.