Veteran Bears know it's their time to step up

As the injuries and losses continue to mount for the 2-7 Chicago Bears, veteran team leaders know it's on them more than ever to lead by example.

Six-year outside linebacker Pernell McPhee isn't wailing or gnashing his teeth over the most recent losses - Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long's season-ending ankle injury and the four-game suspension of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.

"It's been all right," McPhee said. "We're all grown men. You've got to accept if for what it is. Alshon's our boy. We love him. We're going to miss him while he's gone.

"But we've got to have his back, and the only way we can have his back is by going out and competing and winning the next game."

McPhee doesn't deny that a degree of difficulty has been added to the final seven games, but said: "It was going to be a challenge either way. We're 2-7; we've got to face those facts. They're our guys, and we're going to miss them. But we have to man up and study a little harder and play a little harder."

Nine-year veteran cornerback Tracy Porter is confident his younger teammates will rise to the occasion, but he's there if needed.

"They're professionals as well," Porter said, "but I talk to them. I try to lead also with the way that I play to not show any quit in my game. That's not what I'm going to do. I'm going to continue to fight.

"Even if we're sitting at 0-9, I'm going to come here and continue to prepare, continue to fight and hopefully those guys see that and they continue to do the same thing."

Joe Cool:

With wide receiver Alshon Jeffery out for four weeks because of his suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs on the NFL's banned list, the Bears could lean more heavily on rookie running back Jordan Howard.

But it won't be too much for the team's leading rusher.

"Nothing really shakes that kid," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "Practice, games, he's a cool customer. He knows exactly what we expect out of him. He usually has the answer to the question before you ask him. He's doing a heckuva job.

"Some guys pick it up quicker than others. He's shown the ability to get better and better as time has gone on. As games go on, he gets stronger. He sees things better and better. He's fun to play with."

Howard is 11th in the league with 605 rushing yards on 114 carries. His 5.31 yards per carry are second only to Miami's Jay Ajayi, who's averaging 5.71.

Injury update:

Offensive right tackle Bobby Massie (concussion protocol), nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle), defensive lineman Mitch Unrein (back) and cornerback Deiondre' Hall (ankle) did not practice.

Wide receivers Eddie Royal (toe) and Marquess Wilson (foot), guard Josh Sitton (ankle), outside linebackers Pernell McPhee (knee) and Willie Young (ankle), and cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (hamstring) and Tracy Porter (knee) were limited.

Offensive tackle Mike Adams (ill) was a full participant.

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