DeCamillis OK with returners taking chances

Of the six kickoffs the Bears have brought out of the end zone this season, they have failed to reach the 20-yard line four times.

Two other returns from the end zone reached the 25- and 27-yard lines. On the others, the Bears began drives at their 13-, 7-, 15- and 18-yard lines, and those four drives netted 1 field goal and 3 punts, 1 of which was blocked.

Were they simply poor decisions by Senorise Perry, who had the first two, and Rashaud Ross, who had the last two? It depends, according to special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.

“This is how I've talked about it with coaches,” DeCamillis said: “ ‘What's the difference between the 16 and the 20?' Four yards. Is it different when you get inside the 10? Heck yeah, it's different.”

On the return that forced the Bears to start at their 7-yard line and was followed by a blocked punt, Perry actually made it to the 14 but a holding penalty set them back 7 yards.

DeCamillis noted there is no chance to begin beyond the 20 if a kickoff into the end zone isn't returned.

“That's kind of the reward of it; the risk of it,” said DeCamillis, who added the guidelines for returning kicks in the end zone can differ from week to week.

“The parameters change as far as who we're playing against, what the wind's like, where the ball's kicked, what return (we're) in. We have to do a good job getting them schooled up in those parameters.”

Next man up:

Because of injuries, after just three games, 25 different players have taken defensive snaps for the Bears, and 15 have started at least one game.

At times it has made for some unfamiliar faces in the huddle, but backups have done a good job of filling in, even those without much experience.

“In the huddle there's no panic,” veteran linebacker Lance Briggs said. “We have plenty of guys out there. It's routine. It's what we do. So, no matter which guy is out there, just read your keys.

“We know what we've got to do. The D-line is going to help us all out. And the other 10 teammates out there are going to help you out. You don't have to do more than your job, and guys understand that.”

Injury report:

Center Roberto Garza (ankle), guard Matt Slauson (ankle), linebacker Shea McClellin (broken hand), cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad) and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion) did not practice all week and have all been ruled out for Sunday's game.

Defensive end Jared Allen (illness) and wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle) also did not practice this week but are questionable, as is free safety Chris Conte (shoulder), who was limited at Friday's practice. Strong safety Ryan Mundy (shoulder) and defensive end Trevor Scott (foot) are probable after full practices.

Asked about the policy for players playing on Sunday after not practicing all week, coach Marc Trestman said he treats each case separately. Marshall also did not practice the week before the 49ers game and then caught 3 TD passes in that Sunday night game.

“You evaluate whether a guy will play or not, if he hasn't practiced, on a player-by-player basis,” the Bears' coach said. “Brandon gave us enough, certainly, in the San Francisco game. (But) he would tell you he wasn't at his best, and there were mistakes that were made, and he overcame them.”

The bright side:

With Brandon Marshall missing the majority of practices since Week 1, it has given backups Josh Morgan and Santonio Holmes more practice time with quarterback Jay Cutler.

“That can only help us,” coach Marc Trestman said. “You have to try to turn negatives into positives — they've gotten more work with Jay. That's certainly putting money in the bank for times down the road when situations like this will come up. And they've had the work, they're more comfortable, and they're more confident.”