Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack won’t play in the Pro Bowl.
The Giants made the announcement Thursday, when they named Olivier Vernon as an injury replacement. They said Mack was suffering from an undisclosed injury.
Mack missed two games — and was limited in two more — with a sprained right ankle suffered in the Bears’ Oct. 14 overtime loss to the Dolphins. If Mack needs to tend to any injury this offseason, he didn’t mention it in his postgame interview after the Bears’ 16-15 wild-card loss Sunday to the Eagles. It’s not unusual for veterans to skip the game.
Mack earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod last month, capping a stellar first season with the Bears. Despite being acquired only eight days before the season opener — and not participating in the Raiders’ or Bears’ training camp — Mack was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month in September. He finished the season with 12½ sacks, the most for any Bear not named Richard Dent. He was a first-team All-Pro selection.
RELATED
• Bears coach Matt Nagy: ‘Bittersweet to move on’ after losing Vic Fangio
• Debating defensive coordinators: Whom should Bears hire? Rex Ryan? Ed Donatell?
• Bears kicker Cody Parkey booked for Friday’s ‘Today’ show
Four Bears were named to their first Pro Bowl: running back Tarik Cohen, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, cornerback Kyle Fuller and safety Eddie Jackson.
Jackson, who did not play in the Bears’ last three games because of a sprained right ankle, said Sunday he hadn’t thought about whether he’d participate in the Pro Bowl. He said his ankle did not need surgery, only rest.
The Pro Bowl will be held Jan. 27 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
