Two veterans may help out injured Bears at safety
The Bears have been devastated by injuries at safety, but the return of two familiar veterans could fill the void.
On Thursday, seven-year veteran free agent Chris Prosinski was signed to provide an immediate reinforcement. Prosinski played in 29 games for the Bears the previous two seasons and started six times, but he was waived on Sept. 4 this year with a hamstring injury.
Last year he had 7 special-teams tackles and was a key player there in both seasons.
Ten-year veteran Quintin Demps, who's been on injured reserve since Week Three when he suffered a fractured arm, returned to practice and could be activated soon, but probably not by Sunday.
The Bears could be without three other safeties on Sunday. Starter Adrian Amos (hamstring) and backup DeAndre Houston-Carson (ankle) have not practiced at all this week. Another safety, Deon Bush, who started six games last year as a rookie, suffered an ankle injury in Wednesday's practice that kept him out Thursday.
"It's up in the air right now," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. "We have a bunch of guys that are hobbled and not sure of their status yet. Not really sure how that will shake itself out yet."
Still another safety, 2016 fourth-round pick Deiondre Hall, has been practicing since last week but has not yet been activated from injured reserve after a hamstring injury in the final preseason game.
"He's a talented guy," coach John Fox said of Hall, a cornerback at Northern Iowa. "He's got good ball skills. He's played both positions. He's probably not as well-oiled from an experience standpoint at safety. We'll see where we are by the end of the week."
Mr. Compassion:
Josh Bellamy, whose heated verbal altercation with fellow wide receiver Tre McBride on Monday resulted in McBride getting axed on Tuesday, said of his role: "I don't feel bad for nothing."
The argument began in the wide receivers' meeting room and spilled into the hallway, clearly audible through the walls and locked door of the adjoining media work room.
"Brotherly love, man," Bellamy said. "Everybody, we love each other, man. Brothers get into it. You ever get into it with your brother?"
A witty reporter responded that his brotherly arguments didn't result in anyone being fired, to which Bellamy replied: "He didn't get fired. He's just on … relieve."
McBride had 8 catches for 144 yards (18.0-yard average). Bellamy has 12 catches for 171 yards (14.3-yard average).
"We just have to hold everybody accountable," Bellamy said when asked how to prevent future confrontations. "We just have to get everybody on the same page."
Strength of schedule:
The Bears are the first NFL team since 1925 to play each of their first 11 games against opponents who entered the game with a .500 record or better.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 0-0 when they faced the Bears in Week Two because they had a Week One bye in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The Pittsburgh Steelers were 1-1 in Week Three, the Green Bay Packers were 2-1 (Week Four), the Minnesota Vikings were 2-2, and the Baltimore Ravens were 3-2.
In Week Seven, the Carolina Panthers were 4-2; in Week Eight the New Orleans Saints were 4-2; in Week 10, after the Bears' bye, the Packers were 4-4; and in Week 11, the Detroit Lions came in 5-4. Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles were 9-1 before defeating the Bears.
Injury update:
Linebacker Danny Trevathan (calf) was a full participant in practice for the first time in a month, and guard Tom Compton (ankle) and defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris were also full-go.
Cornerback Bryce Callahan (knee) and guard Josh Sitton (concussion) were limited. Linebacker Isaiah Irving (knee) did not practice.
Here and there:
Linebacker Howard Jones was waived Thursday but is expected to be signed to the practice squad Friday.
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