Culture of Chicago Bears locker room getting stronger

It might seem odd for the head coach of a 2-6 football team to say that team's locker room is headed in the right direction.

But John Fox explained it thusly:

"It's the culture," Fox said. "We talk about (that) we were a 6-10 team last year. We made some progress (from 5-11 in 2014). But it's last place. It's 6-10. It's a losing record. That is not what we aspire to be. But we made progress.

"The culture, the personality of the team - obviously we got a lot younger. You look at the transformation from the oldest team in the league to one of the younger rosters in the league, so you're building that. And you do get the right kind of guys. You do have the culture that you want."

The Bears have just three players on the 53-man roster over 30. They have nine players 25 or younger just among the defensive backs - and 16 more sprinkled throughout the roster.

The improved culture and the youth movement was put to the test during a 1-6 start before the victory over the Vikings provided a ray of hope.

"It's been a tough season for sure," Fox said. "But even before the win against Minnesota, I still felt good. The guys were pulling (together) and working in the right direction. So the spirit and the attitude and all those things were right. Now it's just a matter of getting W's and that's what we all get paid to do."

Road to recovery:

Wide receiver Marquess Wilson was back at practice this week for the first time since late spring, when he refractured his left foot.

The Bears have until Nov. 28 to activate him to the 53-man roster or return him to the physically-unable-to-perform list. "I thought he looked healthy," coach John Fox said. "Now it's a matter of getting back into football shape. There's really nothing like practicing and playing the game. He had a good first week from that standpoint."

Before an identical injury cost him the final five games of the 2015 season, the 6-foot-4, 206-pound Wilson caught 28 passes for 464 yards and a 16.6-yard average.

"I haven't seen a whole lot of him, but judging off of last year, I see a very good young player that's learning," Fox said. "Unfortunately, he's been injured and that slows down that learning curve. I'm excited to get him back. When that is, I can't really tell you."

Go-to guy:

Alshon Jeffery has just 1 TD catch this season, but it's not as if he hasn't provided plenty of big plays.

Jeffery's current 16.2-yard average per catch would be the best of his career, and he has 6 of the Bears' 14 receptions longer than 25 yards.

Against a Bucs defense that is 27th in passing yards and 29th in average gain per pass allowed, Jeffery will be key.

"I want him to help us get the ball in the end zone and make big plays for us and block in the run game," offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "It's a one-game season for us. We can't afford to look at anything past that."

It's a process:

Bucs first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves has started every game, and the 21-year-old has shown great promise despite some tough times, according to Tampa coach Dirk Koetter.

"He's been thrown to the wolves," Koetter said. "He's gone against Julio Jones twice, the Oakland receivers, another big challenge this week in (Alshon) Jeffery. It's a learning curve. I truly believe that Vernon's going to be a shutdown corner in this league."

But the 5-foot-10 Florida product isn't there yet.

"He's still learning how to play in this league," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He's had some up games, some down games, but I don't think he's lost any confidence. His size I think limits him a little bit, but he fights hard and has good quickness. He's going to be a good matchup for our guys."

In and out:

Fullback Paul Lasike was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.

Defensive lineman Mitch Unrein (back) was downgraded from questionable to out, and he and cornerback Deiondre' Hall (ankle, out) did not travel with the team to Tampa.

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