Bears tackle Rams with returning McClellin

Coaches review of game film credited inside linebacker Shea McClellin with a team-high 9 tackles against the St. Louis Rams in his first game back since suffering a knee injury on Oct. 11.

McClellin, who led the team in tackles at the time of his injury, also forced and recovered a fumble that led to a field goal Sunday.

"We obviously missed him - his leadership, his communication skills; a lot of guys leaned on him," coach John Fox said. "His play recognition and his performance, as well as his leadership and communication ability (were missed)."

The Bears were without their sack leader and defensive catalyst, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, vs. the Rams, but McClellin's return helped take up the slack.

The 2012 first-round draft pick is enjoying much more success at inside linebacker than he did as a miscast and undersized defensive end for two years and then at outside linebacker before another position switch this past off-season.

Now McClellin wishes he would have been played at linebacker earlier in his career.

"You always have those thoughts and definitely with (Brian) Urlacher and Lance (Briggs) here, I think that would have helped out at a young age," the 6-foot-3, 245-pound McClellin said. "Just learning from those guys, I think would have helped out a lot.

"But I'm going to do what the coaches tell me. Coming in, they wanted me to play D-end, and that's what I'm going to do. I'm not going to argue with them. It wasn't my choice. I was trying to do the best that I could at that position. It is what it is."

Familiar face:

The Bears will not face quarterback Peyton Manning when they host the Denver Broncos on Sunday at noon.

The 18-year veteran, who became the all-time passing yardage leader on Sunday but then was benched after throwing 4 interceptions and posting a passer rating of 0.0, will get at least a week off to recover from assorted injuries.

Manning played the previous three years under Bears coach John Fox in Denver, starting all 48 games and throwing 131 TD passes and 36 interceptions.

"I've got nothing but great respect for him," Fox said of Manning on Monday before the Broncos' decision to start Brock Osweiler at quarterback was made public. "He's a great, great quarterback - arguably the best to play the game."

Foot, shoulder and ribs injuries have played a part in Manning's deteriorating performances this season, and coach Gary Kubiak admitted he erred by starting Manning Sunday. The most serious of Manning's injuries is the plantar fasciitis in his right foot, which he appeared to aggravate in the loss to Kansas City.

"I want to try to get healthy this week," Manning told Denver-area reporters Monday. "I'm disappointed that I'm injured. I'm disappointed at the game, certainly.

"I will try to take advantage of this week and try to get to feeling better and getting healthy. We'll see where everything stands next week."

Another familiar face:

Brock Osweiler, the Broncos' starting quarterback Sunday against the Bears, played for John Fox the previous three seasons in Denver. But he threw just 30 passes, completing 17 for 159 yards behind Peyton Manning.

"He's smart," Fox said of the 6-foot-7 Osweiler, a second-round draft pick in 2012. "He had the opportunity to learn under one of the best.

"For a big man, he's got good quickness, good athleticism. I didn't get a chance to see a lot of him, but when I did see him, I liked what I saw."