Bears OLB Khalil Mack returns to practice, is questionable vs. Patriots

SHARE Bears OLB Khalil Mack returns to practice, is questionable vs. Patriots
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Khalil Mack celebrates after stripping the football in the second quarter against the Buccaneers. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack is expected to try to play Sunday against the Patriots after suffering a sprained right

ankle against the Dolphins. But he was in no mood to address direct questions about his injury or his status Friday.

‘‘I ain’t answering questions like that,’’ he said tersely when he was asked if he thought he could play against the Patriots.

Mack was limited in practice after not practicing Wednesday or Thursday and is listed as questionable for the game.

‘‘Khalil was back, so that’s good,’’ coach Matt Nagy said. ‘‘I thought he looked pretty good, from what I saw. I wasn’t even watching every move he made or anything, but I thought he moved around pretty good.’’

While declining to discuss anything related to the injury, Mack seemed to indicate he expects to play.

‘‘We’ve had a cool week,’’ he said when he was asked what the week had been like since suffering the injury. ‘‘Just getting prepared mentally more so than physically. Just getting ready for the game.’’

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Nagy indicated Mack is pushing to play. He hasn’t missed a game in his five-year career, playing in 69 in a row with the Raiders and Bears.

Mack has some say, but Nagy said he will consult with trainer Andre Tucker to determine whether Mack can play.

Elsewhere on the injury report, receiver Allen Robinson (groin) and cornerback Bryce Callahan (ankle) are questionable

and cornerback Marcus Cooper (hamstring) is doubtful.

Right guard Kyle Long didn’t practice as a maintenance move but is expected to start. Cornerback Prince Amukamara, who aggravated a hamstring injury against the Dolphins, participated fully and is expected to start. Left guard Eric Kush, who was limited Wednesday and Thursday because of a neck injury, participated fully and is expected to play.

Nagy called Callahan’s absence ‘‘precautionary’’ and said Robinson not practicing after being limited Thursday wasn’t an indication of a setback.

‘‘Nothing happened [to Robinson],’’ Nagy said. ‘‘We kind of flipped days in regards to the heaviness in the pads, so we just wanted to pull back a little bit on the heavier day and be cautious with him.’’

The Patriots have one injury of note: Starting tackle Marcus Cannon was ruled out with a concussion.

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