Young, Houston continue to improve for Chicago Bears
Outside linebackers Willie Young and Lamarr Houston have had a lot to overcome this year, but they're beginning to flourish.
Both played defensive end in the Chicago Bears' 4-3 scheme last year and both ended the 2014 season on injured reserve.
Houston suffered a torn ACL at midseason celebrating his only sack, and Young had a torn Achilles in Game 15 that spoiled a career-best 10-sack season.
After slow starts, both have come on in recent weeks. Houston is tied for the team lead with 5 sacks, including 4 in the last four games. Young has 1 sack in each of the last two games and a total of 3.
“They came off of season-ending injuries,” Fox said. “That can always be an obstacle course (from) their confidence to just their durability and getting healthy from those injuries.
“And then combine that with learning a new position (in the 3-4 scheme). Both probably had their hand in the dirt the majority of their careers and learning how to play outside linebacker, being involved in coverage and some of the nuisances that are new and different.
“They're improving, which we try to do every day.”
Making progress:
Rookie wide receiver Kevin White was able to run routes and catch passes at practice for the first time all year. He returned to practice last week but on a more restricted basis.
“He's improving,” coach John Fox said. “He's on target. We've got a three-week window. We just take one day at a time.”
Fox later explained that by “on target,” he meant on target to practice Thursday.
The Bears have until Dec. 14 to either activate the first-round pick from West Virginia or place him on season-ending injured reserve.
They could go the cautious route and keep him out of the final five games. But they could opt to ease him in down the stretch and let him get acclimated to the league so he has a head start on next season.
White seems anxious to return, as he has throughout the process of surgery and rehab.
“Yeah, I'm itching to play,” he said. “If I wasn't itching to play, I wouldn't be out there. It's really important (to play). If it wasn't important I would be in the training room, I would just tell (general manager Ryan) Pace or (coach John) Fox to I.R. me. But I want to play.”
That being said, White will abide by the team's decision.
“You have to be smart,” he said. “Whatever they want me to do, that's what I'll do.”
Room for improvement:
The defense is No. 2 in passing yards allowed but 29th in rushing yards allowed and 30th in average gain per rush.
“It hasn't been good enough,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said of the run defense. “But we've been able to overcome it.”
The past two games have been the worst of the season. The Green Bay Packers rushed for 177 yards on just 28 carries (6.3-yard average), four days after the Denver Broncos had 170 yards on 36 carries (4.7-yard average)
“It's a little bit of everything,” Fangio said. “It starts up front. We haven't been consistently good enough up front. We haven't been consistently good enough at the linebacker position.
“And your secondary is involved in run defense, too. There have been plays where they haven't been consistent enough. We've got to get it rectified.”
Injury report:
Tight end Martellus Bennett, who missed the Packers game with a shoulder injury, was a full participant at Wednesday's practice inside the Walter Payton Center, as were running back Ka'Deem Carey (concussion) and guard Matt Slauson (toe).
Wide receiver Eddie Royal (knee) and safety Antrel Rolle (knee) did not practice. Offensive tackle Kyle Long (neck) and linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee) were limited.