Chicago Bears rookie starting to show he belongs

Chicago Bears first-round draft pick Leonard Floyd has 4½ sacks in his last three games after the outside linebacker missed the previous two games with a calf injury.

"I've said all along there's an uncoachable skill set that he has," coach John Fox said. "It was just a matter of time until he gets comfortable in what we're asking him to do and our terminology and with the pace and speed and strength of the game at this level.

"I've seen steady improvement with him since he's been here and since he's been healthy enough to be out there in practice and honing his skills. He'll continue to improve. He's going to be a very, very good young player."

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Floyd could have had a few more sacks against the Bucs, including the play where Jameis Winston was chased back from the Bucs' 23-yard line into his own end zone before launching a 39-yard completion to Mike Evans.

Teaching point?

"When you're going high for a guy, the guy's head and shoulders can move, so you have to shoot for the midsection - the bigger piece of the man," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "It's easier for a quarterback, especially an elusive one, to shake you off, especially if you're up on the shoulder area."

After nagging injuries set his development back in training camp and the preseason, Floyd's improved health combined with his innate strength and athleticism has made him a force as a pass rusher.

Happy with Leonard Floyd?

"This is probably the longest stretch of practice and the subsequent games that he's had since he's been here," Fangio said. "So you're seeing progress on the field."

Floyd leads all NFL rookies with 5 sacks.

Should've known better:

Coach John Fox laid the blame for Alshon Jeffery's failed test for performance-enhancing drugs and resulting four-game suspension clearly on the wide receiver.

"These guys are very, very, very, very well-educated on the fact that they're responsible for what they put in their system," Fox said. "You can get things cleared through the league office and the union, where they can work through our sports science (department).

"Everybody in the building educates these guys. So, especially a veteran, they have heard it 400 times."

Jeffery did not identify the supplement that caused his failed test. The problem for some players is not realizing that over-the-counter supplements still can contain ingredients on the league's list of banned substances.

Players are told that if they are unsure they should check with the team before putting anything in their bodies.

Injury report:

In a rare bit of good news on the health front, rookie running back Jordan Howard was a full participant in Wednesday's practice despite leaving Sunday's game late with what was characterized as an ankle/Achilles injury.

Five players did not practice, including offensive right tackle Bobby Massie, who still is in the concussion protocol after being unable to finish Sunday, and his replacement, Mike Adams, who was ill.

Also out were nose tackle Eddie Goldman, who on Sunday tweaked the ankle that kept him out of the previous six games, defensive lineman Mitch Unrein (back) and cornerback Deiondre' Hall (ankle).

Limited were wide receivers Eddie Royal (toe) and Marquess Wilson (foot), guard Josh Sitton (ankle), outside linebackers Pernell McPhee (knee) and Willie Young (ankle), and cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (hamstring) and Tracy Porter (knee).

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