Chicago Bears' record doesn't reflect progress made

Coach John Fox realizes the Bears have no choice but to own their 2-8 record, but he doesn't look at the season as a total loss.

The defense ranks between No. 7 and No. 12 in most major categories, including total yards, rushing yards and passing yards allowed, and in yards per rush, yards per pass and yards per play allowed, sack percentage and third-down efficiency.

At the end of last season, the Bears' defense ranked in the top 12 in just one of those eight categories.

"I've been pleased with some of the progress we've made, particularly in the front seven … and that's been with a variety of injuries," Fox said. "Roster-wise, we've made progress over the last year and a half on that side of the ball.

"It doesn't indicate (it) by our record, and I know that can be frustrating for everybody, including myself and everybody in that locker room. (But) our guys continue to compete. I like our work ethic. I like our attitude. I like our locker room, to be honest with you. But again, everybody is evaluated on that record."

The Bears have gotten younger up front while getting better statistically. Among all the Bears linemen and linebackers, only Jerrell Freeman (30) and Willie Young (31) are older than 29. Also among that group, 10 of 14 players on the 53-man roster are 27 or younger, and that doesn't include 25-year-old defensive linemen Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson, who are on injured reserve.

Many happy returns:

Kick-return specialist Marc Mariani is back with the Tennessee Titans after spending the previous two seasons with the Bears.

Mariani spent his first three seasons with the Titans, where he earned a Pro Bowl berth in 2011 and spent one season on injured reserve. With the Bears last year, in addition to returning punts full time and kickoffs part time, Mariani posted career highs with 22 receptions and 300 receiving yards.

When he was waived just prior to this season, he was able to reclaim his previous job as the Titans' kickoff- and punt-returner.

"His 'savvyness' stands out," Bears special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers said. "He does some veteran things where he may late-catch a ball and make an evasive move. His production, a lot of times, is just being a real smart player. He's drawn several penalties late-fair-catching, kind of bumping into a guy. It's a free 15 yards for fair-catch interference.

"It's hard to fool him in terms of the kickoff-return stuff. He runs into the ball, so he's got a little forward momentum. He was good at that stuff when he was here."

Notable quote:

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said linebacker Jerrell Freeman told him in advance that this week's suspension for performance-enhancing drugs might be coming down.

"Usually we're in the dark on those things like everybody else," Fangio said. "But he came to me and told me about it. You're disappointed, but you move on."

Freeman's backup, rookie Nick Kwiatkoski, has big shoes to fill.

"If you're going to label who's been the quarterback of the defense, (Freeman) has been, up front," Fangio said. "He's been there every play. He's come out maybe a couple of plays here and there. He's been a steady influence in there, so we'll miss him."

Fangio said there wasn't much he could say to the team's leading tackler about his positive test.

"What are you going to say?" Fangio said. "The house was burned down already."

Relatively good news:

Eleven of the 18 players on the Bears injury list went through the full practice Friday and are expected to be available Sunday.

But quarterback Jay Cutler (right shoulder), linebacker Leonard Floyd (concussion), wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe) and guard John Sitton (ankle) did not practice.

Floyd is out, Cutler and Sitton are doubtful and Royal is questionable.

Defensive lineman Mitch Unrein (back), linebacker Christian Jones (ankle, back) and cornerback Deiondre' Hall (ankle) were limited and are questionable.

Participating in full were offensive tackles Bobby Massie (concussion) and Mike Adams (biceps), linebackers Pernell McPhee (knee) and Willie Young (foot), cornerbacks Tracy Porter (knee), Cre'Von LeBlanc (concussion), Demontre Hurst (knee) and Sherrick McManis (neck), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle), running back Jeremy Langford (illness) and wide receiver Marquess Wilson (foot).

For the Titans, backup tight end Phillip Supernaw (concussion) is out and backup safety Daimion Stafford (hamstring) is questionable.

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