Chicago Bears WRs start week strong, end questionable

What began as a hopeful week for the improved health of the Bears' banged-up wide receivers has taken a turn for the worse.

Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who led the club with 78 receiving yards in last week's season opener, did not practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday's game at Soldier Field against the Arizona Cardinals.

Jeffery, who nursed a calf injury in the week leading up to the opener, was not even listed on Thursday's injury report. But his hamstring tightened up toward the end of that day's practice.

Even worse, linebacker Pernell McPhee, who is expected to lead the defense and the pass rush, also didn't practice at all Friday and is questionable, too. McPhee was limited at Thursday's practice, when his injury was listed as "wrist." Friday that was amended to read: "wrist/knee."

The Bears' pass rush would suffer without McPhee, but the linebacker position has been reinforced by the return of Sam Acho. He completed a second straight full practice for the first time in more than three weeks because of a mysterious illness and is probable for Sunday. Acho, a four-year with 13 career sacks, was waived on Sept. 12 but re-signed two days later.

McPhee's injury could mean more playing time for Lamarr Houston, who would welcome the increased activity after playing just four snaps in Week One.

"The style of offense we saw (vs. the Packers) didn't allow a lot of substitutions," coach John Fox said. "Then we go in with depth at a position, so if you're not the first guy in, sometimes you don't get as many reps."

Getting sentimental: After 11 years in the NFL lining up in a three-point stance with his hand on the ground at defensive end, Jared Allen is playing linebacker, where he's usually standing up, although he sometimes has the option to put his hand down.

Allen has worked hard to make the conversion to playing out of a two-point stance. But he still has a fondness for the old way.

"To be honest, I love the three-point stance. I feel at home with my hand in the grass," Allen said, before purposely going a bit overboard. "It's nostalgic. I start misting up, and I'm late off the ball. I've got to work on that."

Seriously, though, Allen has the option in certain situations to go retro.

"There are times where the defense is called and there's no disguise, and I can put my hand on the ground," he said. "If it's crunch time, and it comes down to third-and-long, and I know I'm rushing, I'm probably going to have my hand on the ground and get to it."

Five cents' worth: Because the Packers played three wide receivers on almost every snap, the Bears' defense spent almost the entire game in nickel with just two down linemen and three cornerbacks. Nickel corner Sherrick McManis played 92 percent of the snaps, while linemen Eddie Goldman and Ego Ferguson played just 40 and 38 percent of the snaps, respectively.

"We were in nickel most of the time, which is not unusual for anybody," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "We didn't play much base defense because of the way they attacked the game."

The Bears are expected to play more base 3-4 Sunday against the Cardinals, but they could be short-handed up front if Ferguson (knee), who did not practice all week and is questionable, cannot play.

Not so special: Of the 3 Robbie Gould kickoffs that the Packers tried to return, they averaged an unacceptable 35.3 yards.

"The first kick (a 41-yard return by Ty Montgomery) wasn't Robbie's best kick," special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said, "and we didn't do a good job of beating enough blocks or playing with leverage. The second (bad) one (a 46-yard return by Montgomery) was a better kick, but we didn't squeeze as far as we needed to."

More injury news: In addition to Alshon Jeffery, Pernell McPhee and Ego Ferguson, who are all questionable, offensive left tackle Jermon Bushrod (back) also did not practice Friday but is probable.

Cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring) and linebacker Jon Bostic (ankle) are out for Sunday, while cornerback Sherrick McManis (thigh) is probable.

For the Cardinals, No. 1 running back Andre Ellington and Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati are out, both with knee injuries. Safeties Deone Bucannon (groin) and Tony Jefferson (hamstring) are questionable after limited practices on Friday. Tight ends Jermaine Gresham and Troy Nicklas, both with hamstring injuries, are probable, as is wide receiver Michael Floyd (hand).

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