Bears' rookie safety talking, playing a good game

Undrafted rookie safety Harold Jones-Quartey is playing with a lot of confidence, and he was talking a pretty good game, too, after his interception and forced fumble helped the Chicago Bears defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday.

That game was the 5-foot-11, 215-pound Jones-Quartey's first start since Week 6. He was benched after allowing the Detroit Lions' 6-foot-5, 236-pound wide receiver Calvin "Megatron" Johnson to make a 57-yard catch over him to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime.

"I kind of owe Calvin a little something," Jones-Quartey said. "I'm actually looking forward to the Detroit game because they beat us in overtime with a big-time catch. That's how I lost my spot, so I'm really anxious to play that game."

When Johnson, the five-time Pro Bowl pick, was informed that Jones-Quartey was looking forward to facing him, he said: "Oh, OK. ... Prior to the game, I didn't know too much about him. I always look forward to the matchup I have each week. So I'm looking forward to it."

It took Jones-Quartey 10 weeks and a season-ending injury to Antrel Rolle to get his job back, but he didn't waste any time sulking after his demotion.

"I just put my head down and kept grinding," he said. "I was a little upset when I was benched, but I was determined that the next time I get an opportunity, I'm going to do everything I can to earn the coaches' trust.

"I just had to be patient. I prayed it up. It tested my faith a little bit. I talked to God, and God calmed me down."

Always a chance:

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who held the same position in San Francisco last year, was passed over for the 49ers' head coaching job in favor of then-defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.

But the 57-year-old Fangio hasn't closed the door on becoming a head coach.

"If the right opportunity and (the right) people were interested, yeah, I'd certainly listen," Fangio said. "But, like I've always said, 'They are their jobs, and they have their minds set on what they have,' and if I happened to fit that mold and what they're looking for, that would be great."

Better things to come:

Rookie Adrian Amos has started every game this season. The fifth-round pick from Penn State has no interceptions and just 3 pass breakups, but he leads the Bears with 106 tackles.

"Overall he's tackled well," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "When Antrel (Rolle) wasn't out there, he ran the secondary for a good bit - understood the defense. Just needed to break up some more passes, maybe get a pick here and there, make some big hits.

"But I think those will come over time, just through his natural growth and experience, and as we get better all around him."

Injury report:

Wide receiver Eddie Royal (illness), tight end Zach Miller (toe), center Hroniss Grasu (knee) and defensive lineman Jarvis Jenkins (ankle/illness) did not practice for the second straight day.

Running back Matt Forte (back), defensive lineman Mitch Unrein (knee), linebackers Shea McClellin (concussion), Pernell McPhee (knee) and Willie Young (rib), safety Adrian Amos (shoulder) and cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (quad) and Tracy Porter (ankle) were limited.