Bears defense will look to ramp up pressure on Rivers

The Bears' defense is 20th in sack percentage, but it will have many opportunities to add to its total of 12 against the Chargers' Philip Rivers, whose 348 passes are the most in the NFL.

Rivers, not known for his agility, speed or escape ability, has been sacked 19 times.

“The main thing about him is, he sits in the pocket,” said Bears defensive end Jarvis Jenkins, who is second on the team with 3½ sacks. “He's not a scrambler. He sits in the pocket until his route opens up. So the inside pressure is definitely going to be key this week for us to be successful on defense and to getting sacks.” Despite Rivers' lack of mobility, the Chargers are 15th in sack percentage allowed because he generally gets rid of the ball quickly. “When he's in the (shot)gun, the ball is coming out fast, (almost) as soon as it's snapped,” Jenkins said. “(But) it's not going to be fast passes the whole game. Just keep coming at him and, when he does hold the ball, get those sacks.”

Willing to learn:

Rookie Jeremy Langford is expected to be the featured running back at least for Monday night's game and possibly another week or two while Matt Forte rehabs a right knee injury.

The fourth-round pick from Michigan State has 27 carries for 80 yards.

“He's naturally pretty good, and I think the maturity of him is he's willing to learn,” coach John Fox said. “He doesn't think he has it all yet, so he's still always trying to become better, no matter what part of his game. It's one thing to have talent; it's another thing to develop skills, and usually your really good players have the combination of both.”

Making his mark:

Bryce Callahan, the undrafted rookie from Rice, was sidelined with a concussion in the final minutes last week in his first game as the starting nickel cornerback. His absence was noticeable.

“I thought he did fine for his first start and first extended action in the NFL,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “He did a good job. When he went out, it came at the frantic part of the game. We missed him a little bit.

“He's got good quickness. He's got good instincts. He's got a good feel for the position and reacting to plays. I think he's a good football player overall.”

After Callahan went out, the Vikings scored 10 points in the final 1:49 of their 23-20 victory.

Owning it:

Safety Antrel Rolle returned to the lineup last week after missing two games with an ankle injury and may not have been 100 percent.

But he declined to use that as an excuse for the 35-yard reception he allowed to Charles Johnson with 27 seconds remaining, which set up the Vikings' game-winning field goal.

“I played the game,” Rolle said. “I understood what I was going out there with playing the game. I think I played a great game for the most part. I let one play slip away from me, and that's what it boils down to.”

Injury update:

Running back Matt Forte (knee), wide receiver Eddie Royal (knee), center Hroniss Grasu (neck) and linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee) did not practice.

But linebacker Shea McClellin (knee) was able to return on a limited basis for the first time since he was injured on Oct. 18. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio pegged McClellin's chances of playing Monday night against the Chargers at “50-50.”

Wide receiver Cam Meredith (ankle), offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod (shoulder), linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (knee) and cornerback Bryce Callahan (concussion) were also limited. Callahan has not been fully cleared from the concussion protocol, so he only did non-contact work.