Tough test awaits Bears QB Barkley, if he plays

The Bears have run the ball just 219 times this season, not frequently enough for their critics.

Although the Bears have the seventh-best average yards per carry in the NFL at 4.5, only the perpetually trailing Jacksonville Jaguars have run the ball less (215 times).

Assuming backup quarterback Matt Barkley makes his first NFL start Sunday against the Titans, a strong ground presence would serve him well.

But running the ball may be difficult against a Tennessee defense that is seventh in rushing yards allowed. And the legendary Dick LeBeau's defense is likely to crowd the box with extra defenders, challenging Barkley to beat them through the air.

"We're not going to play conservative," Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "We believe that Matt is going to go out - if he had to play - and do a good job and execute the game plan.

"Obviously, when you play a young guy that has not been in the system very long versus a really good defensive coordinator - maybe the best ever - and a talented defensive squad, they're going to try to make you get in pass situations. But we'll stay balanced and won't put it all on Matt's shoulders. When we are being aggressive and doing the things we need to do to win the game, we have confidence in Matt."

Getting noticed:

Coach John Fox is often reluctant to single out individual performances good or bad, but he made a couple exceptions when asked what young players have exceeded expectations.

"Cody Whitehair has adapted," Fox said. "We started off with him at guard. He jumped right in to center (when Hroniss Grasu suffered a season-ending torn ACL in training camp). The fact that he's even a rookie is pretty incredible."

The second-round pick (56th overall) from Kansas State has started every game. Cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc didn't join the Bears until Sept. 4 after he was cut by the New England Patriots, and he was inactive the first two games but has started three games at cornerback and played nickel corner in several others.

"He's played quite a bit of football," Fox said of the 22-year-old from Florida Atlantic who has played more snaps at cornerback than anyone except Tracy Porter and is tied for fourth with 4 pass breakups.

Christian Jones is a third-year player who has filled in at inside and outside linebacker and been a standout on special teams.

"I've seen a lot of growth and change and development in him," Fox said. "He's not a rookie; I'm just looking at guys who grow and change, and you watch them get better. Those are guys that just come to mind right off the top of my head."

Still waiting:

Cornerback Kyle Fuller is eligible to come off injured reserve and could have played on Sunday, but he did not practice this week.

"He's been away from it for some time," coach John Fox said. "He's been in the meetings. But to actually do it is different. So probably (he needs) a couple days of practice to feel comfortable with this big of a break."

Fuller had arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-August but was not close to playing when he was put on IR on Sept. 28.

Since being drafted in the first round in 2014, Fuller has started 30 games and intercepted 6 passes. He was considered as a player to build around by Fox when he became the Bears' head coach in January 2015 but has fallen short of expectations.

"The injuries have been probably the reason for the inconsistency," Fox said. "He's just not been available a whole lot. That can be frustrating for everybody, whether it's the player or the coaches."

Opportunity knocks:

With tight end Zach Miller, the Bears' top pass catcher, on injured reserve, there will be opportunities for Ben Braunecker, the undrafted rookie out of Harvard.

"He's a longer guy, and he can run," offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said of the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Braunecker. "He's got some suddenness in his game."

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