Defensive end Trey Hendrickson leads the Saints with 13.5 sacks, 71 sack yards and 13.5 tackles for loss. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Saints' Trey Hendrickson out against Bears with neck injury

The New Orleans Saints will be without their top pass rusher for Sunday's home playoff game against the Chicago Bears. 

As Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk explained, defensive end Trey Hendrickson won't be available through the weekend due to a lingering neck issue that also kept him sidelined for the Week 16 win over the Minnesota Vikings. 

It's an unfortunate blow for the 26-year-old who leads the Saints with 13.5 sacks, 71 sack yards and 13.5 tackles for loss. No other New Orleans player recorded double-digit sacks during the season. 

The Saints added that guard Nick Easton is also ruled out with a concussion.

Superstar running back Alvin Kamara remains on pace to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Sunday ahead of kickoff. The 25-year-old who leads the Saints with 932 rushing yards, 83 receptions, 107 targets and 756 receiving yards has vowed to take the field against Chicago: 

Wide receiver Michael Thomas is still recovering from a high ankle sprain, and his status likely won't be known until Saturday afternoon. 

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Pacers ride bench to first playoff series win in 10 years
Knicks guard joins NBA royalty in closeout win against 76ers
Maple Leafs force Game 7 with 2-1 win over Bruins
Georgia makes Kirby Smart the highest-paid coach in college football
Dodgers ace to make first start in nearly two years on Monday
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott provides significant update on contract negotiations
Clippers will need to fight for their playoff lives in Game 6 without injured star
Why Steelers declining RB Najee Harris' fifth-year option does, doesn't make sense
Watch: Grandson of Red Sox legend homers at Fenway Park
Suns owner after disastrous season: 'The house is not on fire'
Knicks' Villanova trio knocks out the 76ers in Philadelphia
Chargers add another target for QB Justin Herbert
Report: If Lakers fire Darvin Ham, ESPN analyst would be candidate
Watch: William Nylander gives Leafs a 1-0 lead over Bruins
Hurricanes restrict ticket sales for series against Rangers
Yankees 2B after loss to Orioles: 'We got punched in the face'
Bucks getting one of two stars back for Game 6 vs. Pacers
Ex-Knicks GM emerges as candidate for Pistons' president role
Encouraging sign emerges about Timberwolves HC Chris Finch after sideline injury
Patriots HC Jerod Mayo open to a reunion with Tom Brady