Bears' linebackers hurting big time

The situation at linebacker borders on critical this week, bad timing considering Atlanta is averaging 30.2 points per game and 42.5 points per home contest.

The Bears visit the Falcons on Sunday (3:25 p.m., FOX).

Each of the Bears' top four linebackers has injury concerns. That includes seven-time Pro Bowler Lance Briggs, who is out with a rib injury, and Shea McClellin, whose broken right hand is still mending.

Of the top four linebackers, D.J. Williams, who is probable with a neck injury, is the healthiest.

Jon Bostic, who has started three straight games since McClellin was injured, is questionable with a back injury, and he did not practice all week.

If Bostic can play, he's expected to move from the strong side to start for Briggs on the weak side. That creates an opening on the strong side, where the decision is between 2013 fourth-round pick Khaseem Greene and undrafted rookie Christian Jones.

The Bears are believed to favor Jones, who played 23 snaps last week after Bostic was hurt.

"Christian has made some leaps, and we've seen that in practice," said Bears coach Marc Trestman. "He's been productive in practice as he continues to learn his position."

Greene has been a key player on special teams, where he leads the Bears with 5 tackles. But his performance on defense has been inconsistent.

"He's fluctuated," Trestman said. "He's had some great weeks where he's practiced very well, and then it's tapered off. He's made a big push. He's stayed with it. He's worked extremely hard on the special-teams side of it, working his way back into things."

For insurance, the Bears on Friday elevated linebacker DeDe Lattimore from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and waived injured guard / center Taylor Boggs.

Moving pieces:

The Bears' nickel cornerback spot is in flux heading into Atlanta.

Isaiah Frey was waived after playing there for three weeks and forcing and recovering a fumble last week against Carolina.

Sherrick McManis has missed three straight games and is questionable with quad and knee injuries. After limited practices Wednesday and Thursday, McManis did not practice Friday.

The healthiest option could be first-year player Demontre Hurst, although rookie safety Brock Vereen has limited experience at nickel.

Road warriors:

The Bears are in the midst of a nine-week stretch in which they play just two homes games in 63 days.

But that's nothing compared to the Falcons' brutal schedule. Sunday's game at the Georgia Dome is the only time the Falcons will play on their home field in 66 days.

After Atlanta trounced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 56-14 on Thursday, Sept. 18, the Falcons hit the road for back-to-back road games against the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants in Weeks 4 and 5.

After hosting the Bears on Sunday, the Falcons travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens in Week 7. The following week against the Detroit Lions is technically a home game for Atlanta, but it will be played in London.

The Falcons have a bye in Week 9 and then play on the road for two more weeks, a rematch with the Bucs followed by a visit to Charlotte to face the Panthers.

Trestman on Angelo:

Coach Marc Trestman was asked for his reaction to former Bears general manager Jerry Angelo's claim Thursday that "hundreds and hundreds" of domestic violence incidents were covered up during Angelo's 31 years in the NFL.

"I don't have any reaction to that at this point in time, other than to say that I think that what we've done here is we pay close attention to everything that's going on with our players," Trestman said.

"I think (general manager) Phil (Emery) does a great job of addressing those situations if they do come up, but we haven't had any up to this point."

Friday, Angelo said he "embellished" his original figures.

Injury update:

The good news on the injury front is that center Roberto Garza (ankle), defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion), linebacker D.J. Williams (neck) and safety Chris Conte (concussion) all went through a full Friday practice and are probable for Sunday.

Aside from the group of walking wounded at linebacker, cornerback Sherrick McManis is questionable and offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod (ankle / knee) and safety Ahmad Dixon (hamstring) are out.

For Atlanta, No. 3 wide receiver Harry Douglas (foot) is out, while wide receiver-return specialist Devin Hester (hamstring) is questionable after a limited practice Friday.