McClellin, with a cast, trying not to skip a beat
With defensive end-turned-linebacker Shea
McClellin back at practice Wednesday for the first time since breaking his hand Sept. 17, Bears linebackers coach Reggie Herring is mindful of rust.
‘‘ That will be the big question when he comes back: How rusty he is?’’ Herring said recently. ‘‘ Can he pick up where he left off? He left off in a good frame of mind and in a good place.’’
The Bears thought McClellin, who was starting on the strong side in the base defense and being used as a situational rusher, was playing well before he injured his hand at practice. In Week 2, he had seven tackles and a sack against the San Francisco 49ers.
‘‘ It’s more frustration,’’ Herring said. ‘‘ He’s come so far and really was doing a nice job [ with his position change]. He was getting better every day. He was getting more and more comfortable with the position.’’
While ecstatic about what the reserve linebackers did against the Atlanta Falcons, defensive coordinator Mel
Tucker stressed that the Bears only have a ‘‘ onegame evaluation on these guys’’ and that his starters still have their jobs.
McClellin, though, was the only starter to officially practice in full. Jon Bostic ( back) was limited but said he felt encouraged. Lance
Briggs ( ribs) didn’t practice, and coach Marc Trestman expects him to sit Thursday.
D. J. Williams ( neck) also sat. McClellin, meanwhile, is wearing a hard, removable cast when he plays and said it shouldn’t be a problem.
‘‘ I wore one before in college,’’ he said. ‘‘ This one is not quite as bad as the other one. It’s not quite as big. I have more movement.’’
This and that
Running back Matt Forte, who has a leaguebest 46 receptions, was given a day off, similar to last week, to preserve him. ‘‘ We’re working on that,’’ Trestman said. ‘‘ He takes a lot of hits during the course of the game, more than anybody because of all the touches that he has.’’
Receiver Marquess Wilson, who is on short- term injured reserve with a broken collarbone, is expected to start practicing next week.
Linebacker Darryl Sharpton confirmed he is the cousin of the Rev. Al Sharpton. ‘‘ It’s all love and family talk,’’ he said. ‘‘ No big political conversation or anything like that.’’
Special- teamers Sherrick McManis ( quadriceps/ knee) and Ahmad Dixon ( hamstring) were limited. Safety Chris Conte ( shoulder) sat out.
Safety Ryan Mundy was fined $ 22,050 for his helmet- to- helmet hit on Falcons wide receiver Roddy White. He will appeal.