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The Chicago Bears’ thin edge rusher group just got thinner.
The Chicago Tribune reported that outside linebacker Willie Young will miss the rest of the 2017 season with a triceps tear. The injury will reportedly require surgery. As the Tribune noted, this is already the team’s third defensive starter that suffered a season-ending injury, Jerrell Freeman and Quintin Demps being the other two.
This news comes a bit out of the blue, as Young participated in Thursday’s practice, albiet in a limited role. With him out, Pernell McPhee will likely return to the starting lineup alongside Leonard Floyd.
Young, 32, has two sacks in four games this season. With him out, the Bears only have three edge rushers on the roster: McPhee, Floyd and Sam Acho. Expect the team to call either Isaiah Irving or Howard Jones up from the practice squad, the latter of whom having just signed on Friday.