Bears' McCaskey says NFL's increased focus on safety is necessary

Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey hasn't seen the film "Concussion," which is scheduled for a Christmas Day release and doesn't show the NFL in a positive light regarding the connection between football and brain damage, specifically chronic traumatic encephalopathy. But McCaskey has some thoughts on the subject matter.

"The important part is that any attention on player health and safety is a good thing," McCaskey said. "The NFL's made changes in recent years, rules changes, (and) research is being funded. We need to improve the science, we need to improve the equipment and we need to improve the rules. (We) need to improve the rules enforcement, and we think that the changes that we're making in the NFL will filter down to all levels, college, high school, youth."

A federal judge earlier this year approved a settlement, which is under appeal, that would cost the NFL upwards of $1 billion and covers more than 200 lawsuits involving more than 5,000 former players. McCaskey said he believes the game can survive, but additional safety measures are imperative.

"We need to make the game safer," McCaskey said. "That's something that the commissioner (Roger Goodell) emphasizes at just about every league meeting. Whatever we're doing, we need to do more."

Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee said he probably wouldn't see the movie.

"Nah, I might see it just to support Will Smith," McPhee said. "(Shoot), we get a concussion every play. It's football."

Learning on the job:

Even though this is the fifth offense quarterback Jay Cutler has had to learn since joining the Bears in 2009, he's produced his highest single-season passer rating (92.2) so far.

"He didn't have any problems mentally with what we're doing," offensive coordinator Adam Gase said. "The hardest thing in his job is just trying to get everybody else caught up and being on the same page as him. When you're the quarterback, and you're thinking two or three steps ahead of everybody else, it doesn't help you if everybody else is way behind you."

Injuries to Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson have added a degree of difficulty, as the top three wide receivers have missed a combined 13 games already.

"You have to be able to make a step, and then they have to take that step with you," Gase said. "When you change things, they've got to change with you, and that hasn't always happened this year. I do think we're pretty close to being on the same page with all our skilled players and him, so we're starting to be on the same page.

"We just need to take that next step to where we're, at end of the game, making those plays in crunch time."

Top of the class:

Nose tackle Eddie Goldman leads all NFL rookies with 4½ sacks and his all-around play has made the departure of Jeremiah Ratliff inconsequential.

"Eddie has shown flashes, without a doubt," coach John Fox said. "We're pleased with his progress. Much like our whole football team, we've not been consistent enough. That's something we're building on, whether it's individually so that collectively we're playing more consistent."

Goldman also leads all Bears linemen with 35 tackles and is tied for third on the team with 17 quarterback pressures.

Injury update:

Six Bears are questionable for Sunday after limited practices Friday.

In addition to four starters, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (calf), tight end Zach Miller (ribs), linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee), and cornerback Tracy Porter (ankle); part-time defensive line starter Will Sutton (knee) and cornerback Sherrick McManis (concussion) are on the list. Marquess Wilson is on season-ending injured reserve, along with Pro Bowl tight end Martellus Bennett.

Starting nickel cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (quad) is doubtful after not practicing.

For the Vikings, two starters are out: linebacker Anthony Barr (groin/hand) and safety Harrison Smith (knee/hamstring). Two backups, wide receiver Charles Johnson and defensive end Scott Crichton, have also been ruled out.

Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (shoulder), who leads the team with 8½ sacks, is questionable, as is starting nose tackle Linval Joseph (foot).

• Follow Bob Legere's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.