McClellin set to play vs. Dolphins

The guessing game continues at linebacker after Lance Briggs (ribs) missed his sixth straight practice Friday and was declared out for his second straight game.

There are numerous possible starting combinations for Sunday's game against the Dolphins at Soldier Field.

Jon Bostic (back), who also missed last week's game, is questionable after being limited at practice all week. Shea McClellin, who has not played since Week 2 because of a broken right hand, had a week of full practices and is probable.

"Shea will be out there," coach Marc Trestman said. "He'll be up and ready to play. We'll work the rotation as we see fit. We're excited. He had a good week of practice. We'll see how he handles the hand."

D.J. Williams, who missed last week with a neck injury, went through a full practice Friday for the first time in a week and is also probable.

"We're optimistic he'll be playing," coach Marc Trestman said of Williams. "(But) we do have options. We're going to see what the next couple days bring with D.J., and we'll see where Jonathan is.

"We'll see where we are next week with Lance, and we'll see where we are over the weekend with Jonathan."

Bostic started in Weeks 3-5 in place of McClellin at strong-side linebacker, but when he was hurt, he was replaced last week by undrafted rookie Christian Jones.

Darryl Sharpton filled in last week for Williams at middle linebacker, and the fifth-year veteran was a physical presence, making multiple splash plays.

Khaseem Greene started in Briggs' weak-side spot last week, which is considered Bostic's best position.

"We'll just have to see where (Bostic) is at over the next couple days and how (defensive coordinator) Mel (Tucker) feels mentally that he's ready to play," Trestman said. "Jonathan is the designated starter. We'll just see where he is. He hasn't practiced (fully) this week. He's just been running and working and doing some limited work with (linebackers coach) Reggie (Herring).

"A lot of that is going to depend on where he is going into the weekend. Right now it's just really wait and see."

Run for it:

Quarterback Jay Cutler has already run the ball 21 times this season for 101 yards (4.8-yard) average, just 2 fewer times than he ran all of last season. He's also on pace to exceed his previous single-season high of 57 rushes in 2008 with the Broncos.

"We've been asking him to run when they're in situational plays when everybody is covering and nobody is looking at him," offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer said. "He's done that well. He protected the ball in that last game."

Cutler was sacked three times vs. the Falcons. But he ran five times and, while he managed just 11 yards, he avoided additional sacks.

Safety in numbers:

Free safety Chris Conte (shoulder) is also out Sunday after not practicing all week.

"It's just about that shoulder mending enough where the trainers release him to practice," Trestman said of Conte, who started each of the first six games. But Conte was unable to finish four of his starts, including last week when he was injured early in the third quarter.

Rookie Brock Vereen and veteran Danny McCray have both gotten snaps in place of Conte. It was the rookie who took over last week but both players could see action Sunday.

"He had a very good week of practice," Trestman said of Vereen. "He's communicating better. He's where he's supposed to be. He's done a good job for us on special teams. He'll be part of that rotation and we're excited to see him play.

"He's certainly been in some key games this year right at the end where we all know he's had to make some plays. So this is just part of his growth. He's had a lot of reps and he's ready to go."

Other injuries: Every other injured Bear went through a full practice Friday and is probable, including offensive tackles Jermon Bushrod (knee/ankle) and Jordan Mills (foot), cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad/ankle) and safety Ahmad Dixon (hamstring).