Wilson stepping up to become Bears best receiver

In the absence of Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, Marquess Wilson has stepped into a starring role, posting career-best performances in back-to-back games.

In Week 4, Wilson caught 6 passes for 80 yards in a 22-20 victory over the Raiders. Last week against the Chiefs, the 6-foot-4, 184-pounder caught 6 more balls for 85 yards, including a 22-yard, fourth-quarter TD.

"He's really stepped up," offensive coordinator Adam Gase said. "Being consistent catching the ball and getting open, that always makes you feel better as a playcaller."

Wilson leads the Bears with 234 receiving yards, and his 15.6-yard average per catch is tied with Jeffery for team honors. The 2013 seventh-round pick out of Washington State has 3 receptions of more than 30 yards, and his 50-yard catch on opening day is the Bears' longest play of the season, including kick returns.

"I think Jay (Cutler's) experience with him over the past couple years has made it real easy for him," Gase said. "Knowing that he's going to be in the right spot, he's going to make the play when we need him to make the play. And so far, he's come up pretty big for us in some big situations."

Playing catch up:

When Alshon Jeffery returns from the hamstring injury that has kept him out of the last four games - and it could be this week - quarterback Jay Cutler says it won't take long for them to reconnect.

"I've thrown to him over the last couple of weeks as he's eased into it," Cutler said. "It'll happen pretty quickly. I think the biggest thing with him is just staying in shape."

Jeffery also missed all four preseason games with a calf injury, so he'll probably have to ease back in. But he expects to be the same player who caught 174 passes for 2,554 yards and 17 touchdowns the previous two seasons.

"I'm not going to change," Jeffery said. "Injuries are a part of the game. But when you get back, you're still the same player. It's just making plays."

Clear signal:

With Shea McClellin (knee) expected to miss at least this week's game, the chore of relaying defensive signals from the sideline to the field falls to Christian Jones, the other inside linebacker.

Jones went undrafted out of Florida State last year. But the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder finished third on the team with 98 tackles as a rookie, despite starting just five games. He has started all five games this season and is second to McClellin with 36 tackles.

"He was a guy I thought had nice size, nice length and good athleticism," coach John Fox said. "Coming in learning our system, I've seen him progress. He's done an outstanding job."

Relaying the signals is new to Jones, since he almost always played outside linebacker in college.

"We'll be leaning on him a little bit more if Shea McClellin can't go," Fox said. "With a week's work, he's done a good job in preparation."

Injury report:

Four players did not practice Friday and are doubtful for Sunday: defensive lineman Ego Ferguson (ankle), cornerback Terrance Mitchell (hamstring), linebacker Shea McClellin (knee) and safety Antrel Rolle (ankle). Tight end Martellus Bennett (quad) did not practice but is questionable.

Eight others are questionable, including wide receivers: Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), Eddie Royal (ankle) and Josh Bellamy (groin). Also questionable are linebacker Pernell McPhee (shoulder), offensive linemen Jermon Bushrod (shoulder) and Patrick Omameh (ankle) and defensive linemen Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle) and Will Sutton (elbow).

For the Lions, linebacker DeAndre Levy had hip surgery this week and probably is finished for the season. Five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and tight end Eric Ebron have also been ruled out.

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