Pernell McPhee Undergoes Knee Surgery

Bears outside linebacker Pernell McPhee underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Friday, head coach John Fox told reporters, including Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Fox called the surgery a “cleanup” and didn’t offer a timeline for a return for McPhee, who began training camp on the physically unable to perform list with an “irregularity” in his left knee (Twitter links).

Pernell McPhee (vertical)

While it’s unclear if McPhee will miss any regular-season time, it’s obviously alarming that both knees are troubling the 28-year-old – especially considering his history. McPhee underwent two right knee procedures while with the Ravens in 2012, and he missed the Bears’ first six games last year after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. To his credit, McPhee returned to rack up four sacks in nine games as a part-time player and earn respectable marks from Pro Football Focus.

Even though he sat out nearly half of last season, only three Bears – Willie Young, Leonard Floyd and Akiem Hicks – finished with more sacks than McPhee. Having to go without him for an extended period in 2017 would be a blow, then, though Chicago still has a more-than-capable starting linebacking corps with Young and Floyd flanking Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman. The Bears’ reserves looks good, too, as they added the experienced Dan Skuta in free agency, re-signed Sam Acho and, unless they make him a cap casualty by Week 1, are getting Lamarr Houston back from the torn ACL he suffered last season.

McPhee’s place on the Bears’ roster seems more secure than Houston’s, though the team’s cap would also benefit from the former’s release. Ridding itself of McPhee would save Chicago $6.325MM (against $1.5MM in dead money) this season. Ideally, though, this latest knee issue will be a minor one and McPhee – whom the Bears signed to a five-year, $38.75MM deal in free agency two years ago – will be a key contributor to their pass rush in 2017.

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