As the Bears pulled into training camp, a breath of fresh air could be taken for a whole new season. No longer is this the 2016 Bears who could not stay healthy and could not stay out of their own way. 2017 is a new year, and a clean bill of health…oh wait.
It did not take long into training camp until the Bears heard their first surprise injury update. It is a name familiar to the injury report as well, Pernell McPhee. The 28-year old pass rusher has missed nine games over the past two seasons and is now starting his third season with the team on the physically unable to perform list, also known as the “PUP.”
Pernell McPhee has been placed on PUP. pic.twitter.com/9918IxvVVj
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 27, 2017
The injury appears to be “an irregularity” in his right knee.
John Fox says Pernell McPhee didn't pass his physical Wed. "An irregularity" in his right knee. Hence, PUP.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer) July 27, 2017
On the one hand, there can be a positive to take away from this. McPhee missed time with a knee injury before, but it was his left knee. He also missed time with a shoulder injury. None of these injuries appear to be connected, so it is not quite an “injury prone” or “poor muscle tissue” type of deal.
However, on the other hand, seeing three significant body parts fail to hold up over three seasons is not a good sign for his long term health status. This is also a surprise injury that was unknown until the team reported.
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It was already going to be tough to figure out what should be expected from the pass rusher who also put up 10 sacks over the past two seasons. However, this is the furthest thing from what Bears fans wanted to hear about his status in the early portions of camp.