Jeffery's absence hurts in more ways than one
Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been noticeable by his absences in what has so far been an injury-marred season.
Jeffery did not practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury suffered at last Thursday's practice. He did not play last week and missed all four preseason games with a calf injury.
His absence robs the offense of its best big-play weapon and much more.
"I think he affects everybody," offensive coordinator Adam Gase said. "He's a difference maker. He's a big guy. (If you're the defense) you have to make sure you know where he's at."
Over the previous two seasons, Jeffery caught 174 passes for 2,554 yards and 17 touchdowns. Even though he wasn't 100 percent in the season opener, the four-year veteran led the Bears with 5 catches for 78 yards.
Without the threat that the 6-foot-3, 216-pound Jeffery presents to opposing defenses, the Bears' offense is limited.
"We like moving him around, putting him in different spots," Gase said. "That moves everybody else around, so it's hard to target who we're trying to get the ball to and who's really the main guy that week.
"Right now it's easier to focus on a couple guys, and most teams can probably see where we're trying to get the ball sometimes."
Sleeping in Seattle:
Instead of flying out the afternoon before an away game, as they usually do, the Bears will leave Friday for Sunday's game in Seattle.
"Usually that first (night's) sleep when you travel across a couple of time zones is pretty rotten," coach John Fox said. "So we just felt like, with another day to sleep in that time zone, it's been a little easier to adjust.
"Like most everything in this job, you learn from experience - and some of them are negative. So you adjust, and we found that to be a little better."
Taking the blame: A pair of Cardinals turnovers 31 seconds apart late in the second quarter last week gave the Bears excellent field position. But it left them almost no time to adjust to the switch at quarterback when Jimmy Clausen replaced the injured Jay Cutler.
The Bears had to settle for field goals on both possessions.
"I was more disappointed in the play calling," offensive coordinator Adam Gase said, when asked if he was disappointed with the execution. "I thought I did a poor job of putting those guys in a good position. "After going back and watching the tape, I feel like I could have put Jimmy in some better spots. That was my biggest criticism; I should have done a better job as far as putting our players in a better position."
Doctor's orders: Quarterback Jay Cutler (hamstring), wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) and linebacker Jon Bostic (ankle) did not practice.
Running back Matt Forte (knee), linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), wide receivers Eddie Royal (hip/back) and Marquess Wilson (shoulder), guard Matt Slauson (toe), defensive lineman Ego Ferguson (knee) and cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring) were limited.
For the Seahawks, defensive end Michael Bennett (toe) did not practice and running back Marshawn Lynch (calf) was limited.
He's back:
Cornerback Bryce Callahan, who was waived on Tuesday, was signed Thursday to the practice squad. The undrafted rookie out of Rice appeared in the first two games of the season on special teams.