From the moment Khalil Mack arrived in Chicago, he and Akiem Hicks seemed to hit it off. They were seen cracking jokes on the sideline and always seem in sync on what they wanted to do. As a result, they seemed to feed off each other last year, combining for 20 sacks. Unfortunately, Hicks may not be able to go on Sunday. The big defensive end is nursing a knee injury suffered in Washington and has not practiced all week.
The timing isn't the best with this. Hicks is one of their best run defenders and the Minnesota Vikings bring the hottest back in the NFL to Soldier Field in Dalvin Cook. Chicago has the 5th-best run defense in the league but not having Hicks help anchor it will make it that much tougher to corral Cook who is not only athletic but blazing fast. Mack understands the value his teammate brings, and even has a fitting nickname for him.
Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times picked up on it.
“I call him ‘Mufasa,’” Mack said, referencing the father from the “Lion King”. “He’s down there doing the dirty work, taking two guys, talking about four hands on him the whole game. Yeah, he does a lot for this team. He’s an impactful guy not only on the field but off the field as well.”
Khalil Mack certainly has a knack for creativity
Mufasa? King of the lions and fatherly figure to all. Big, imposing, and powerful. Yeah, that sounds about right. Hand it to Mack. The guy has a talent for nicknames on top of everything else. For all the credit he gets as a team leader, Hicks is the true heart and soul of this defense. It's been that way ever since he arrived in 2016. Nobody worked hard as a player or leader to drag this unit out of mediocrity and back to where it belongs among the elite of the NFL.
Hopefully the extra rest he's gotten this week was enough to help his knee come around. If not, the Bears will just have to make do without him. It won't be easy but it sounds like Mack is up to the challenge. One thing about Mufasa is he was always great about teaching his son how to stand tall and be responsible. Don't think for a second the Bears defense will suddenly wilt in the face of the Vikings just because Hicks won't be there.
