The Chicago Bears have been taking it slowly all week with outside linebacker Khalil Mack. The talented pass-rusher injured his ankle in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins but still played the majority of the game. In Chicago's first two practices this week on Wednesday and Thursday, Mack missed both practices. Head coach Matt Nagy has said it is a day-to-day scenario with Mack up to this point. ESPN's Adam Schefter cleared that up on a radio appearance on Friday.

"Adam Schefter tells Gerry Callahan that the Bears plan on Khalil Mack playing this Sunday," the Kirk & Callahan radio show account tweeted.

Sunday's game against Miami saw Mack play a season-high 62 snaps (79.5 percent) against the Dolphins. In Week 4 he played 51 snaps (81 percent), Week 3 he played 50 snaps (100 percent), Week 2 he played 42 snaps (72.7 percent) and Week 1 he played 42 snaps (70.0 percent). He finished the game with just two tackles and ended his streak of four games in a row with at least one sack and one forced fumble.

Mack was clearly not the same player when he returned to the field after the injury. Instead of the typical bull-rushes that Mack has consistently brought to the table this year, he was a step or two slower off the snap of the ball throughout Sunday afternoon. The injury could have played into that, as could have the weather. The heat index in Miami that afternoon was around 100 degrees. Mack was not the only member of the Bears who struggled to perform at a high level.

Through five games this season, Mack has recorded 19 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and returned one interception for a touchdown. His efforts through the first four games helped him earn the NFC's Defensive Player of the Month award. Chicago's defense has taken on a new identity because of him being in the lineup. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has had to rely less on blitzing the quarterback because of what Chicago's front-seven has been able to do on its own. Having Mack in the lineup will be big for the Bears against the New England Patriots on Sunday.

The Patriots are currently 4-2 and sit atop the AFC East division. Quarterback Tom Brady has thrown for 1,599 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions so far this season. New England has also done a great job of protecting Brady in the pocket this season. The offensive line has given up just eight sacks, tied for the second fewest in the NFL.

Mack has never missed a game in his NFL career, playing in 69 straight contests. Chicago will practice one more time on Friday afternoon before it will have to put out an injury report for Sunday's game. Friday's injury designation will give a good insight into how the Bears feel about his injury.