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Khalil Mack was not in the mood to answer questions about injuries Friday afternoon at Halas Hall. After following the practice of the Bears inside the Payton Center as a limited participant, the outside linebacker was officially considered suspect for Sunday's game against the Patriots. All signs indicate that Mack is at least trying to play on his right sprained ankle. But Mack was not interested in offering his personal predictions for Sunday.
"I do not answer such questions," he said.
When he asked how he had injured his ankle in the Dolphins defeat last weekend, Mack shrugged. "It's football."
Mack was reminded that he had never missed a game in his five seasons in the NFL, a series of 69 straight games. When asked how he almost missed a game with the Raiders, Mack shrugged again.
"Dude," he said, "I do not even talk about that either."
At this point, while Mack will participate in Friday's practice session without aggravating the ankle injury, it would be a surprise if he was not in uniform and active Sunday. But the official announcement of his status will only come 90 minutes before the kickoff.
Coach Matt Nagy said he will keep an eye on Mack's mental and physical condition as the Bears play Saturday in Lake Forest and Sunday morning when the team arrives at Soldier Field.
"We are just trying to keep an idea of where we think it is and where it thinks it is," Nagy said. "And when we get to the point where we have to make a decision, then we will choose what we think is the best for him and the best for the team."
Two other Bears starters were quoted as dubious Sunday. Receiver Allen Robinson is struggling with a problem at the groin that kept him out of Thursday's practice. But Robinson returned to the field on Friday. Slots cornerback Bryce Callahan was injured on the ankle Thursday afternoon and was absent from Friday's job. If Callahan were to be out on Sunday, veteran Sherrick McManis would likely play his defense role.
Cornerback Marcus Cooper (hamstring) is uncertain for Sunday.
Prince Amukamara, who played for the Bears High School, was a full participant in Friday's practice, unhindered by his thigh injury. Amukamara is starting for Sunday's game.
As for Mack, he has already faced the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady twice – in the third week of his rookie season in 2014 and the 11th week of last season. Mack fired Brady once last season, but understands the challenge of trying to get a quarterback who gets rid of the ball so quickly.
"That's the problem," said Mack. "You just have to understand that he's going to use these different things to slow you down. So, we are just getting ready for it. … He is one of the best players. He definitely manages the offense and he puts everyone in the position to make games. This is definitely what makes him one of the best. "
Mack was also asked what it meant for him to never miss a game but not wanting to be part of a health issue.
"I'm not here to talk about it either," he said. "You know what I'm saying is football, at the end of the day I'm going to make sure I'm right."
Twitter @danwiederer
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