To say that outside linebacker Khalil Mack had a disappointing sophomore season with the Chicago Bears would be a massive understatement. Sure, he made the Pro Bowl, but a strong argument says that was earned on his name alone. In his first season with the Bears, Mack recorded 12.5 sacks — his highest since 2015 — while forcing five fumbles and tallying eight tackles for loss.
And through the first five games of the 2019 season, Mack had already collected 4.5 sacks and looked poised for an encore performance. But his production took a substantial hit when defensive tackle Akiem Hicks injured his elbow in the Raiders game in Week 5, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year.
The loss of Hicks during that game was felt immediately, as Raiders running back Josh Jacobs put up 123 yards on 26 carries, crossing the goal line twice in the process. As for Mack, he recorded just three tackles in a losing effort, foreshadowing the rest of his 2019 campaign.
Mack recorded just four sacks over the final 11 weeks of the season while forcing one fumble during that span, after recording 4.5 with Hicks in the lineup. Again, Mack made the Pro Bowl, but he probably shouldn’t have. Hicks is, by all accounts, 100 percent healthy, as suggested in his Instagram post, repping out 315 pounds on the bench press effortlessly.
A healthy Hicks equals a productive Khalil Mack.
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