Being 'too little, too short' not stopping Knox

It's been a long time coming, but Johnny Knox is finally getting the recognition he deserves.

"I always heard them saying I was too little, too short," said the spindly, 6-foot, 185-pound wide receiver. "People always said I can't. They said I can't play at this level, competing with the best. I knew I just needed an opportunity to do so."

Knox was first-team all-state at Channelview High School in Houston, but no Division I teams were interested. So he went to Tyler (Texas) Junior College and, as a sophomore, led the National Junior College Athletic Association by averaging 23.9 yards per catch (37 for 886 yards and 11 touchdowns). Still no D-I takers, though, so he went to Division II Abilene Christian, where he caught 118 passes for 2,227 yards and 30 TDs in two seasons.

"I got discouraged coming out of high school and juco that teams didn't want me," he said. "I had to take a different route. Being that (Bears teammate) Danieal Manning came out of there, I knew there was a chance coming from Abilene that I could make it to this level."

Knox, who wasn't drafted by the Bears until the fifth round, is second in receiving yardage (159) among all rookies, and he's ninth in the NFL with a 17.7-yard average per catch.

Prodigious passers: Bears coach and defensive playcaller Lovie Smith doesn't assume that Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will be easily rattled because he's a rookie making his fourth NFL start.

"I assume if a guy is starting for an NFL team, you can't rattle them and they feel pretty comfortable," Smith said. "He got a win under his belt (last week), he's a good player, and he's the first pick in the draft. I think he'll be OK."

The Bears learned last season how dangerous a rookie quarterback can be when Matt Ryan led the Falcons to a miraculous comeback victory in the final seconds of his sixth game in the league. With six seconds left his perfectly placed sideline throw to Michael Jenkins picked up 26 yards and left one second for Jason Elam's 48-yard, game-winning field goal.

"That throw he made at the end, you don't see too many rookies doing that," Bears defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said. "You don't see too many veteran quarterbacks making that play under pressure - pinpoint, right down the sideline. That was a great throw for any quarterback."

Injury update: Desmond Clark appeared doubtful early in the week because of a fractured rib suffered in the season opener. But the veteran tight end is expected back Sunday after going through his second straight full practice Friday and is "probable," along with defensive tackles Anthony Adams (knee) and Tommie Harris (knee), running back Matt Forte (knee) and long-snapper Patrick Mannelly (forearm).

Linebacker Lance Briggs (foot) and defensive linemen Alex Brown (ankle) and Israel Idonije (knee) were limited in Friday's practice and are "questionable," but all are expected to play. Briggs left Halas Hall wearing a walking boot on his injured left foot as a precaution.

Linebackers Pisa Tinoisamoa (sprained knee) Hunter Hillenmeyer (ribs) did not practice all week and are not expected face the Lions. Both are listed as "doubtful."