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Chicago Bears' offensive line may be without Sitton

The Bears' offensive line has shown signs of jelling into a formidable unit after adding veteran free-agent left guard Josh Sitton and shifting rookie Cody Whitehair from guard to center a week before the season opener.

The group has allowed just 4 sacks in quarterback Brian Hoyer's four starts but could be without Sitton, who is arguably its best pass blocker, Thursday night against the Packers.

Sitton, a three-time Pro Bowler was, cut by the Packers and immediately signed by the Bears Sept. 5. He has started all five games but went out with a sprained ankle at the end of Sunday's loss to the Jaguars and did not practice Tuesday. His loss would be significant.

"He's a really good pass protector," offensive coordinator Dowel Loggains said. "Any time you get a talented player like that it obviously helps. He makes the rest of the guys better because he's a leader. He's been in the division a long time and knows the opponents. He knows the guys we're going to face, so it definitely helps a lot." If Sitton can't go, the Bears will turn to seven-year veteran Ted Larsen, who began training camp as the starting left guard, or Eric Kush, who was signed Sept. 4 after being waived by the Rams. He has played in 10 games and started once in two previous NFL seasons.

"He has position flexibility," Loggains said of the 6-foot-4, 313-pound Kush. "He has the ability to play center, guard, even mix in at tackle some. He's an explosive athlete. He can get to the second level, and we think he's strong enough to anchor at the point of attack as well."

Status uncertain:

Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, who was activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list last week, was not limited at Tuesday's non-padded practice and, "he moved around pretty well," according to coach John Fox.

McPhee, who was frequently the Bears' best defender in the first half of 2015 before his knee injury, was weirdly vague about his status for Thursday night.

"How (do) I feel?" he said. "Physically? I feel like I've been blessed to wake up and see another day. I've got all my health. I'm breathing good. I'm feeling great. Y'all will see, bro'. Time will tell. Trust me."

McPhee was more direct when asked what impact he could make on the defense if he plays against the Packers fir the first time this season.

"Just nasty, hard-nosed, going-crazy-on-the-field-type guy," he said. "I'm just going to bring a physical impact, man."

By the numbers:

The Bears have scored more than 17 points just once in their first six games, the first time that's happened since 1975, when Jack Pardee's team finished 4-10.

Injury update:

Quarterback Jay Cutler (thumb), wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe), running back Jeremy Langford (ankle), guard Josh Sitton (ankle), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle), cornerbacks Tracy Porter (knee), Bryce Callahan (hamstring) and Deiondre' Hall (ankle) and linebacker Sam Acho (personal) did not practice.

Tight end Zach Miller (ribs), linebackers Jerrell Freeman (wrist) and Leonard Floyd (calf) and running back Ka'Deem Carey (hamstring) were limited.

For the Packers, three cornerbacks did not practice; Damarrious Randall (groin), Sam Shields (concussion) and Quinten Rollins (groin), along with safety Chris Banjo (hamstring), running backs Eddie Lacy (ankle) and James Starks (knee), tight end Jared Cook (ankle) and wide receiver Davante Adams (concussion) did not practice.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.

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