Bears' backup receivers needed to step up

At one point in Sunday's 23-20 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Bears lined up with Santonio Holmes, Micheal Spurlock and Josh Morgan in their three-wide receiver alignment.

None of them were with the team last season, and Holmes didn't join the club until Aug. 16. But, with Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) leaving early in the third quarter and Brandon Marshall battling through ankle issues, it was, at times, all hands on deck.

Coach Marc Trestman said he tried not to let the personnel changes affect his play-calling.

"You try to format a few plays and move a few people around, but overall we just call plays," Trestman said. "There were a couple times I thought I was slow calling the plays and getting them in because I was trying to put guys in the best position. Jay (Cutler) did a good job of getting the plays off and executing them well."

With Jeffery's availability in doubt and Marshall certain to have some soreness this week, Cutler and the offense may have to rely on backups to step up.

"Those guys will have to make plays for us, it's as simple as that," Cutler said. "They've all played in the NFL, they've all contributed on different teams, and we're going to expect the same here.

"We're going to have to get a comfort level with Santonio, Josh and Micheal."

Holmes averaged 56 catches in six straight seasons (2006-11) before slumping through injury-plagued seasons the last two years. He was encouraged by the attitude in the locker room, even after Sunday's defeat.

"This team's chemistry is amazing," Holmes said. "Guys walked around talking about how we need to get together with the teamwork and heart and (start) picking each other up and holding each other accountable for our actions. We just have a lot of studying to do. Get into the film room and get it corrected."

Don't blame the D:

The defense sacked second-year quarterback E.J. Manuel just once (Willie Young), and Chris Conte had the only take-away (his seventh career interception), but the Bills only attempted 22 passes.

Coach Marc Trestman said, despite the defense allowing 193 rushing yards, it played well enough for the Bears to win.

"At the end of the day, if you keep them in the 17- or 20-point range, that should be enough for us to win," Trestman said. "If we hang on to the football and take care of it, we should be in a good position to win."

Next man up:

Midway through the second quarter Sunday, left guard Matt Slauson left with an injured left ankle and was replaced by Michael Ola. Minutes later center Roberto Garza went to the sidelines, also with an ankle injury, and was replaced by Brian de la Puente.

Neither injured starter returned.

"I knew I couldn't go anymore," Slauson said. "I thought for a second I could. It's tender a little bit, but I'll be back. I'm going to work through it and be fine."

The rookie Ola played for Bears coach Marc Trestman in the Canadian Football League, and de la Puente started the previous three years in New Orleans, including two when Bears offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer was the Saints' offensive-line coach.

"The coaches had all the confidence in Ola, and he did a tremendous job," Slauson said. "They said, 'Look, it'll be all right, just take a seat, it'll be fine.' It was tough, but our backups came in and did a tremendous job. But we lost a tough one, and it hurts. We just have to do a better job on offense and as an O-line."

Both injured players were scheduled for MRIs on Monday.

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) and running back Shaun Draughn (neck) also did not return after being injured, but no information was given on their conditions.

Sitting it out:

Sunday's inactives were quarterback David Fales (shoulder), cornerback Kelvin Hayden, fullback Tony Fiammetta (hamstring), linebacker Khaseem Green, offensive tackle Charles Leno and defensive ends David Bass and Cornelius Washington.

Greene was active for 15 games and started four times as a rookie last season, but undrafted rookie Christian Jones got the nod over him Sunday.

Bills starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore was inactive with a groin injury and replaced by former Bear Corey Graham, who had the first interception of Jay Cutler and returned it 45 yards to set up a TD.