LeGere: 'Embarrassed' describes Bears' running game
When quarterback Jay Cutler is the Bears' leading rusher in a game and has the only run longer than 7 yards, it's not a good sign.
"Obviously very poor in our run game performance," was coach Marc Trestman's assessment of the Week 2 effort. "We're going to throw that away and try to work off where we got started in the Buffalo game (86 yards on 18 carries, 4.8-yard average) and try to continue to progress and get better there.
"(The 49ers are a) very difficult defense to run against, but, nonetheless, the tape certainly showed us that we have some work to do, and it got our guys' attention, which is a good thing."
Cutler's 25 rushing yards came on one scramble late in the first half that set up the Bears' first touchdown. Two-time Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte managed just 21 yards on 12 carries (1.8-yard average), giving the Bears a total of 46 yards on 17 rushes (2.7-yard average).
"I was embarrassed," right guard Kyle Long said. "We need to run the ball. I know we got the win on the road, and it was big. I'm sure everybody else in our room will echo that. So will Matt. (But) you need to run the ball in the National Football League. We'll be better at that."
New recruits:
The season-ending triceps injury to cornerback Charles Tillman and a desire to get more production from the kick-return game led to some personnel shuffling.
Second-year cornerback Isaiah Frey and wide receiver Rashad Ross were signed to the 53-man roster Tuesday from the practice squad, and defensive tackle Roy Philon was re-signed to the practice squad.
After spending his rookie season on the Bears' practice squad, Frey played in all 16 games last season and started six games at nickelback. The Bears are short-handed at cornerback after Tillman's injury.
Ross is expected to compete for kickoff-return job with Senorise Perry, who has 42 yards on 2 returns this season, and possibly the punt-return job, where wide receiver Santonio Holmes has a net zero yards on 2 attempts.
Ross, undrafted out of Arizona State in 2013, spent most of that season on the practice squads of the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs. In 26 games, including 14 starts at ASU, the 6-foot, 167-pound Ross had 55 receptions for 864 yards and 7 touchdowns, while returning 28 kickoffs for 779 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Also Tuesday, running back Shaun Draughn and wide receiver Chris Williams were waived, and the contract of vested veteran tight end Matthew Mulligan was terminated.
Draughn missed a block that resulted in rookie punter Pat O'Donnell's first punt being blocked Sunday. Later he was penalized for holding on an O'Donnell punt, resulting in a 10-yard walk-off. On the rekick, Draughn was credited with the tackle.
Ball magnet:
After his diving interception of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the first half Sunday, free safety Chris Conte has an interception in three straight games dating to the 2013 season finale.
But he suffered a right-shoulder injury later in the half and did not return.
"Right now it's day to day," coach Marc Trestman said. "I'm hopeful that it's not serious. After the next couple days we'll know more as to how he's going to practice and if he's going to practice."
Conte's 7 interceptions since 2012 are tied for fifth most among NFL safeties. Only New Orleans' Jairus Byrd (9) and Seattle's Earl Thomas and the New York Giants' Steve Brown and Antrel Rolle, all with 8, have more.
Sack attack:
Their 4 sacks Sunday were the most by the Bears since last Dec. 1, when they had 5 in a 23-20 overtime loss to the Vikings in Minnesota.
Defensive end Willie Young led the way with 2 sacks Sunday, the first multi-sack game of his five-year career. Shea McClellin had his first sack as a linebacker. He had 6½ sacks as a defensive end in his first two seasons.
Defensive tackle Stephen Paea also had his first sack of the season and seventh overall, while playing one of the best games of his four-year career against the 49ers' two-time Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati.