Rest didn't help Khalil Mack's foot injury.
The star pass rusher is undergoing season-ending foot surgery and will be placed on injured reserve, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Coach Matt Nagy confirmed plans for the procedure and said it will take place next week. Mack was placed on IR later Friday.
"With him, it's been the last several weeks just trying to get right. We did everything as far as trying to attack it the right way with him," Nagy said Friday. "He's put in a lot of time and energy in trying to get back and see where things are at. But this is where we're at."
Mack has been out since Week 7 due to the injury. The Bears hoped that rest would allow him to return. But after more than three weeks, the decision was made for surgery that will end Mack's fourth season in Chicago prematurely.
"I know he's frustrated because he's such a competitor," Nagy said of Mack, "but this is the best thing for him and the best situation to be able to help him out and get it fixed."
In seven games played this season, Mack compiled six sacks, 19 tackles, and 22 total QB pressures.
The absence of the Bears' best pass rusher has shown a glaring weakness up front in Chicago. The defense has allowed opponents to move up and down the field the past two games, allowing an average of 31 points per game in two losses.
The Bears signed pass rusher Bruce Irvin on Thursday to help replace some of Mack's production. In reality, there is no replacing what Mack brings to the table in Chicago.
Chicago is coming out of the bye having lost four straight games. The Bears take on Baltimore on Sunday at Soldier Field. Chicago has lost seven consecutive games following its bye week. The Bears' last post-bye win was Week 9, 2013 at Green Bay -- the longest streak of losses following a bye week since the Raiders lost 10 straight post-bye games from 2003-2012.
