Shea McClellin more comfortable at inside linebacker

BOURBONNAIS - Inside linebacker Shea McClellin ended Jay Cutler's streak of 11 practices without an interception on Saturday.

"I'm glad," the converted defensive end and outside linebacker said. "The linebackers finally got one, so that's good, and I finally got one as well. You want to break that streak. You don't want to have no interceptions as a defense."

McClellin said Cutler told him after practice that he never saw the linebacker lurking.

"Just laying in the weeds there," McClellin said, "and I saw the ball there and just grabbed it."

Coach John Fox was pleased with McClellin's performance in the preseason opener as well.

"He's getting better every day," Fox said. "He's a kid who cares. He works very hard at it. It was a position switch for him early on, (and) I think a good position switch at this point. He continues to improve like we expect him to."

McClellin struggled at both of his previous positions, but seems to have found a home in Vic Fangio's 3-4 defense.

"From the start, I definitely feel better than in any year I started with," the 2012 first-round pick said. "Even going into the game my comfort level was definitely higher than the last three years, so that definitely helped out.

"It's just the ability to go out and play hard and play fast. The last three years were difficult for me because I was afraid to make mistakes. Now, just let it loose. (I've) got nothing to lose."

Safety shuffle:

Rookie safety Adrian Amos was with the first team in Saturday's practice, replacing Brock Vereen, who has been paired with Antrel Rolle for most of camp.

"He's had opportunities just like all the other safeties to play and be evaluated and make plays," coach John Fox said of the fifth-round pick from Penn State. "He's earned where he is. I don't know if that's the way it'll stay. It's not where you start the race, it's where you finish it. He's earned that, and we'll go from there."

Sick bay:

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (calf strain) didn't practice and won't be back until after Saturday's preseason game against the Colts in Indianapolis.

Jeffery is wearing a walking boot and is on crutches.

"He has a mild calf strain," GM Ryan Pace said. "But this isn't a long-term injury."

Running back Daniel Thomas (knee) and tight end Chris Pantale (ill) missed practice. Jason Weaver left practice with a neck stinger but returned.