Chicago Bears' Long still has an uphill battle after surgery
Guard Kyle Long is recuperating following Tuesday's surgery to relieve neck pain caused by a herniated disc, and he has implied that he may need two more procedures - left shoulder labrum and left hand - before he's close to 100 percent.
Long had hoped to have the labrum fixed last off-season, but he put it off when complications from surgery on his right ankle elongated the healing process. He explained on Twitter that the labrum issue, which began last preseason, led to his neck problems.
"Things happened in proximity of shoulder that were unfortunate," he wrote. "Neck became an issue."
Long also tweeted a picture of himself in a neck brace following surgery.
The 2013 first-round draft pick (20th overall) missed just one game in his first three seasons, all of which ended with Pro Bowl trips. But he missed eight games last year after the ankle injury and seven this year. He ended both seasons on injured reserve.
"He had a lot of things bothering him," Bears coach John Fox said. "His ankle, his shoulder, the neck was a little bit of an issue. We didn't know the extent of it. But now we do, and it's been repaired."
Fox did not provide any additional information or speculate on future surgeries.
"I don't know," he said. "We just got through this one. He'll be able to recover. Really what's next on the docket, I'm not really sure. I'd be purely speculating (on additional surgeries). I don't really know that. He'd be a better one to give you that information."
Shut out again:
The Bears had no one voted to the Pro Bowl for the third straight season, although at least one could get in when numerous players opt out due to injury, disinterest or participation in Super Bowl 52.
Running back Jordan Howard, who went last year as a replacement, is a first alternate and has a good chance to repeat. Howard is second in the NFC with 1,069 rushing yards along with 7 touchdowns on 245 carries (4.4-yard average).
Rookie Tarik Cohen is a second alternate as a return specialist, and guard Kyle Long, who is on injured reserve following neck surgery, is also a second alternate. Defensive end Akiem Hicks is a fourth alternate.
Last year, guard Josh Sitton also went as a replacement. Long was a fill-in at tackle following the 2015 season.
Down goes McPhee:
The Bears will be without outside linebacker Pernell McPhee for the final two games after he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
McPhee has failed to play all 16 games in any of his three seasons with the Bears, since he was signed in free agency prior to the 2015 season to a five-year, $38.75 million deal.
He missed the first six games last season following knee surgery. The 29-year-old McPhee injured the shoulder earlier in the season and aggravated it in Saturday's loss to the Lions. He is tied for third on the team with 4 sacks, third with 11 quarterback pressures and 12th with 21 tackles.
"With two games remaining," coach John Fox said, "it was probably better for him and us that we put him on injured reserve."
The Bears now have 15 players on injured reserve.
Linebacker Jonathan Anderson was promoted from the practice squad to take McPhee's spot on the 53-man roster. Wide receiver Mekale McKay was added to the practice squad.
Injury report:
Safety Adrian Amos (hamstring) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and is expected to return to the starting lineup Sunday against the Browns.
Four players were limited: Guard Tom Compton (concussion), wide receiver Josh Bellamy (foot), safety Chris Prosinski (concussion) and tight end Adam Shaheen (chest). Guard Josh Sitton (ankle) did not practice.
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