Kahlil Bell will answer the call as Barber's backup

With Matt Forte sidelined, Kahlil Bell is expected to get more playing time on Sunday than he has since the 2009 season — when he had 40 carries for 220 yards.

Bell will back up Marion Barber, as he did last week, when Bell picked up 34 yards on 4 carries that included a 26-yard run.

“He's not Matt Forte,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “Not many people are. But he does catch the ball well. Protections and things like that, he does a good job with that. He knows what to do when he gets the football ... good size, can run in between the tackles, can make you miss in the open field. He was just happy to get an opportunity. When you're the third tailback, you're looking for reps, and you know that you have to take advantage of it. He did.”

The 5-foot-11, 219-pound Bell languished on the sidelines last season when he was inactive for all 16 games.

“Any time you can't do what you love to do, and that's play on Sunday, it's difficult,” he said. “But I knew one day that opportunity would come. It's unfortunate that Matt had to go down for me to get an opportunity, but I'm just going to try to fill his shoes.”

Doing his part:Whether No. 3 quarterback Josh McCown is active or not this week for the first time, he still feels like he's contributed.All week in practice, McCown played the role of Tim Tebow, running the Broncos' offense against the Bears' defense.#8220;I tried to be as fast and athletic and run around as much as I could,#8221; said McCown, who once ran a 4.57 40-yard dash and caught 2 passes as a wide receiver when he was with the Lions in 2006. #8220;I tried to give them that look and hopefully help them do the best job they can to get ready. The aspect that you can't fully get is the contact, and the fact that you have a guy playing the quarterback position who's running like a running back.#8221;But the 6-foot-4, 213-pound McCown did his best to make it real.#8220;I offered that, if they want to hit me, they can,#8221; he said. #8220;But thankfully they didn't take me up on that.#8221;Health report:The Bears list only three players on the their injury report: quarterback Jay Cutler (thumb), running back Matt Forte (knee) and safety Major Wright (shoulder). None of them practiced this week and all are #8220;out#8221; for Sunday.The Broncos list running back Willis McGahee (knee) and wide receiver Eddie Royals (concussion) as #8220;questionable.#8221; McGahee was limited Friday, and Royal did not practice. Offensive tackle Ryan Clady and linebacker Von Miller were listed as #8220;probable,#8221; after full practices.Follow Bob's Bears reports via Twitter @BobLeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.