McManis injury a huge part of Bears special teams woes
After allowing a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter, the Bears are dead-last in the NFL in both average punt returns and kickoff yardage allowed.
Part of the problem was that Sherrick McManis, who has a team-best 68 special teams tackles in his six seasons with the Bears, departed in the first half last week with a hamstring injury.
"He's our special teams captain," coach John Fox said. "I get asked all the time about injuries, and we obviously missed him, but our guys stepped in and stepped up well enough for us to win. Obviously, when you lose a guy like him who makes the Pro Bowl (as an alternate) at his position, it's going to hurt, period."
Welcome back, linebacker:
Inside linebacker Danny Trevathan, in his first week back after a one-game suspension for a helmet-to-helmet hit, had 6 tackles, his first sack of the season and a recovered fumble.
Trevathan was encouraged by the Bears' first 2 interceptions of the season.
"It's been an emphasis for us," he said. We've been playing good defense, but turnovers take a lot of momentum out of offenses, and that's what we want to do. Our defense has been working its tail off. We've been just trying to fly around, get to the ball and bring it to our offense."
While the Bears' defense is No. 6 in total yards allowed, it still ranks 29th in interception percentage.
What a rush:
The Bears are No. 3 in the NFL rushing yards after rolling up 231 against the Ravens.
Jordan Howard's 167-yard game in Week 6 gives him 495 yards for the season, on pace for 1,320. He rushed for 1,313 yards last season as a rookie. The Bears have 21 rushing plays of 10 yards or longer, and they have held their opponents to 12 double-digit-yard runs.
Injury report:
Cornerback Sherrick McManis (hamstring), wide receiver Markus Wheaton (groin) and linebacker John Timu (ankle/knee) did not practice Wednesday.
Linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (chest), center Hroniss Grasu (hand), wide receiver Tanner Gentry (hip) and running back Benny Cunningham (hamstring) were limited.
Among five Panthers who did not practice were two starters: linebacker Luke Kuechly (concussion) and wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (knee).
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