Bears' Mariani exactly where he wants to be

On paper, Marc Mariani's first game as a Bear doesn't look like much - 3 punt returns for a net of zero yards and 2 kickoff returns for 46 yards.

But it was a great day for the return specialist who hadn't played in a regular-season NFL game since 2011 because of injuries and went to the Pro Bowl after his rookie season in 2010.

"Awesome day," the 27-year-old Mariani said. "Getting that first one out of the way and having a pretty successful play was awesome. From that point forward, I just tried to do my thing. Had to shake off a little rust and a little nerves, but once we hit it on that first one I was ready to go."

Mariani's first touch proved to be his most successful.

Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty when he taunted Kyle Fuller after beating the Bears' corner for a touchdown.

So Tampa kicked off from its 20 instead of the 35, and Mariani picked up 30 yards, returning the ball to the Bears' 45.

After return specialist Chris Williams came out of the Week 11 game against the Vikings with a hamstring injury, Mariani was signed just five days before the Bucs game. He did his best to get ready on short notice - but practice only goes so far.

"There's nothing like game-day Sunday," he said. "You can't simulate it. Getting that live action ... it's not necessarily like riding a bike, but it's something that I love to do, and I have a lot of passion for it.

"There's no better place in the world than standing under a punt and getting ready to make a play."

Special treatment:

Rookie Pat O'Donnell punted nine times Sunday and was in the running for offensive MVP until he shanked his final two boots 20 and 22 yards.

But he also pinned the Bucs at their 2- and 12-yard lines earlier in the game, and the Bucs had a total of just 12 punt-return yards.

"Our coverage teams were good," said Bears coach Marc Trestman. "We covered better with a lot of young guys. That was significant. We were able to win the special teams battle."

The Bucs also averaged just 14.0 yards on 3 kickoff returns.

It gets tougher:

What was once a 3-6 Bears team could reach the .500 mark with a victory over the Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day (11:30 a.m., CBS).

"It's a big game, against one of the best defenses in the league, if not the best," said Bears running back Matt Forte. "They have a real good D-line, too, so it's going to be a tough game coming off a short week and going against one of the best defenses, so we have a task ahead of us."

Heading into its Week 12 - a 34-9 loss at New England on Sunday - the Lions' defense was No. 1 in the NFL in total yards, rushing yards and points allowed and No. 2 in third-down efficiency.

(Hypothetical) injury report:

The Bears did not practice Monday but were required to release an injury report based on players' estimated participation level had there been a workout.

Linebackers Lance Briggs (groin) and Darryl Sharpton (hamstring), cornerback Kyle Fuller (knee), defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (knee), defensive end Trevor Scott (knee), center-guard Brian de la Puente (ankle) and wide receiver Chris Williams (hamstring) would not have participated.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle) and safety Brock Vereen (shoulder) would have been limited, while offensive linemen Jordan Mills (ribs) and Eben Britton (illness) would have been all in.