Bears cornerback LeBlanc responds well to trial by fire

Considering he wasn't signed by the Bears until the week before the season opener, after he was waived by the Patriots, undrafted rookie cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc has made a favorable impression.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder from Florida Atlantic has played 263 snaps, more than any Bears corner except Tracy Porter. Most of his action has come as the Bears' nickel (slot) corner, but injuries have forced him to play outside as well.

"He's done well," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "He never played for us (in the preseason), and he only played corner for New England, and we play him at nickel, and he's had a crash course since he's gotten here."

It wasn't always easy at first, but LeBlanc has responded to his trial by fire.

"Has he made mistakes?" Fangio said. "Yes. The first couple of games he played for us, simple stuff he didn't do right because, no fault of his own, he was thrown to the wolves. Plays that we should've made (turned into) decent gains just because he didn't know, through lack of experience here with the position. But he's been improving and playing better and better."

LeBlanc is second among all Bears with 4 pass breakups.

"He's got quickness (and is) competitive at the ball," Fangio said. "He's got good ball skills. He's got some football I.Q. and instincts that all guys don't have."

Pulling for the Cubs:

Before he was hired as the Bears' quarterbacks coach in 2015 and then promoted to offensive coordinator this year, Dowell Loggains was the Cleveland Browns' quarterbacks coach in 2014.

But Loggains in not conflicted about his World Series allegiance.

"Cubs," Loggains responded quickly. "We named my son Ryne (after former Cubs second baseman, Sandberg). "We were Cubs fans before we got here."

Loggains is an Arkansas native but developed a fondness for the Cubs the same way many of our-of-state fans do.

"Just WGN always on when you're a little kid," the 36-year-old Loggains said. "So, when you grow up, obviously it's always on TV. I'm a sports guy - baseball and football - and just enjoyed the Cubs."

Sandberg was the favorite player of Loggains' brother-in-law, who played minor-league baseball, and Loggains said it made sense when his son was born six months ago.

"We felt like it was a fitting name," Loggains said. "We were in Chicago, and it worked out."

Injury report: Wide receiver Eddie Royal (toe) guard Kyle Long (triceps) and nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle) did not practice Saturday and are doubtful for Monday night. Cornerback Deiondre' Hall (ankle) did not practice and is out.

The good news for the Bears is that guard Josh Sitton (ankle) is questionable after a limited practice without pads or helmets. Also questionable are cornerbacks Tracy Porter (knee) and Bryce Callahan (hamstring), linebackers Danny Trevathan (illness) and Pernell McPhee (knee), running back Jeremy Langford (ankle) and wide receiver Cam Meredith (shoulder).

Callahan did not practice, while Trevathan was a full participant.

For the Vikings, defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (knee) and running back Jerick McKinnon (ankle) are out.

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