The Chicago Bears placed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (offseason knee surgery) on the regular season physically unable to perform list (PUP), a move that sidelines him a minimum of six weeks.

McPhee, 27, finished tied for second in tackles for loss (10) and third in sacks (six) in 14 games in 2015. McPhee is in the second season of a five-year contract worth $15.5 million guaranteed.

"It's been a grind since his first day out, busting his tail," teammate Willie Young said of McPhee's rehab. "And it’s a credit to him, because to bounce back from any what used to be career-ending injuries is a challenge. But he's on course, I would say."

McPhee, who the Bears have not made available for interviews, has done side work at practice in recent weeks.

"With me, I don't like putting timelines, but I think he's closer than he was last week," coach John Fox said. "We're just going to continue to stretch that out on what he can do, some of the change-of-direction things, which are part of football. But our training staff does an excellent job and when he's healthy we'll have him out there."

Fox continued: "We have some avenues that we're going to have to decide here as we cut down to the 53 and some time from now, so I don't like making those decisions now. But we'll continue, like I said, to evaluate him. There are options. He did start the season on PUP. We have a lot of options and we'll do what's best for us and him."