Chicago Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee was held out of practice today and if you've been following the weekly injury reports, you'd know that was a common occurrence. Even with McPhee dealing with a bothersome knee for a few weeks now, it hasn't affected his gameday until Monday night in San Diego.
Against the Chargers, McPhee had to ask out of the game on the final drive because of his knee injury. Bears' defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said that was the reason Lamarr Houston was on the field and able to pick up his two sacks on San Diego's last series. "Now, if we [Houston] can just eliminate the offsides," Fangio said, "he'll play even more and more."
The anxious Houston jumped offsides twice against the Chargers.
The Bears haven't given any specifics about McPhee's knee injury, but with the pain causing him to sit in crunch time, there may be more opportunities for both Houston and Willie Young this week against the St. Louis Rams.
In other Bears injury news, running back Matt Forte returned to practice after missing all of last week with a knee injury. He was limited however, as was center Hroniss Grasu (neck), offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod (shoulder) and inside linebacker Shea McClellin (knee).
McPhee wasn't the only Bear to sit out practice today, he was joined on the sideline by wide out Eddie Royal (knee), safety Antrel Rolle (ankle) and kicker Robbie Gould (illness).
The Bears travel to St. Louis for a noon kickoff this Sunday, and they are currently a 7 point underdog.