PALM BEACH, Fla. — Although Matt Forte’s contract stalemate with the Chicago Bears lingers, coach Lovie Smith said Wednesday he isn’t overly concerned about the situation becoming potentially divisive.

“I look at offseason as time to negotiate,” Smith said at the NFL meetings, pointing out that Forte has not missed any team functions. “You do it different ways. He doesn’t feel good about his contract situation. He voiced that. It’s no more than that. I don’t make too big a deal out of it.”

Smith is encouraged by the Bears’ depth at running back, saying that newly signed Michael Bush will bring more to the offense than Marion Barber did because Bush can help more outside the tackles and in the passing game.
 
“Michael is a complete running back,” Smith said.

Smith said the addition of Bush wasn’t necessarily a statement that the team did not want to promote Kahlil Bell to be the No. 2 back.

“But wouldn’t we be even stronger with Kahlil here and Michael Bush?” Smith said. “It’s about strength in numbers as much as anything.”

Smith did acknowledge that Bell’s fumbling is a concern.

“We’ve seen what he can do with the ball when it’s secured, now he has to secure it more often,” Smith said.

dpompei@tribune.com

Twitter@danpompei

Read More: Julius Peppers (DE – CHI), Chris Spencer (C – CHI), Jay Cutler (QB – CHI), Lance Briggs (LB – CHI), Devin Hester (WR – CHI), Brian Urlacher (LB – CHI), Marion Barber (RB – CHI), Nick Roach (LB – CHI), Kellen Davis (TE – CHI), Matt Forte (RB – CHI), Corey Wootton (DE – CHI), Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings, Jan 1, 2012 12:00 PM CST

The Chicago Bears have already been without Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, and they may be without Brian Urlacher and Marion Barber on Sunday when they close out their injury riddled season against the Minnesota Vikings. Urlacher missed his second straight day of practice on Thursday with a knee injury and Barber did not practice again due to a calf injury.

The good news is that Devin Hester (ankle) was a full participant on Thursday after being limited yesterday. Julius Peppers also returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday’s due to a non-injury related matter.

Here is the full injury report for the Chicago Bears:

For more on the Chicago Bears, visit Windy City Gridiron. For more on the Minnesota Vikings, head over to Daily Norseman.

The Chicago Bears won’t be home for Christmas. However, if they don’t find a way to upset the Green Bay Packers on Christmas night? They’ll be home for the playoffs.

Bears head coach Lovie Smith received more discouraging news in regards to the health of the remaining players on the Bears’ roster. Devin Hester has always been a threat as a return specialist against the Packers’ suspect special-teams coverage units. The Bears need him because of injuries and legal issues that have decimated the receiving unit.

Hester missed the entire week of practice with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable as of December 23, 2011. Smith claimed that the chances of Hester playing weren’t looking very good. The injury would force Earl Bennett into the role of punt return specialist.

Here are a few other key players who may be sidelined for the Bears as they fight to keep their slim playoff hopes alive on Christmas night.

Jay Cutler (Out)

Jay Cutler is still recovering from surgery that he had on a broken thumb on his throwing hand. Following a 7-3 start with Cutler, the Bears have lost four consecutive games with Caleb Hanie as his replacement. Josh McCown will get the start as he’s only completed two passes since the 2007-08 season.

Matt Forte (Out)

Matt Forte suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Forte has been ruled out for this game. He was leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage before the injury. This will force McCown to make some plays in the passing game.

Johnny Knox (Out)

The Chicago Bears lost their go-to receiver after he was placed on injured reserve with a back injury earlier this week. Knox would’ve been the return specialist had Hester not played. Bears special-teams coordinator Dave Toub will likely rely on Earl Bennett and Armando Allen if Hester can’t play.

Marion Barber (Doubtful)

Along with Matt Forte, Marion Barber is also expected to miss this game with a calf injury. Kahlil Bell and Armando Allen would receive the majority of carries in their absences. Allen may also handle the kickoff return duties if Hester can’t play. This will be Bell’s second career start.

Lance Briggs (Questionable)

Lance Briggs was a limited participant during practice on Friday. Henry Melton and Briggs are game-time decisions.

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Read More: Julius Peppers (DE – CHI), Jay Cutler (QB – CHI), Lance Briggs (LB – CHI), Devin Hester (WR – CHI), Marion Barber (RB – CHI), Kellen Davis (TE – CHI), Matt Forte (RB – CHI), Henry Melton (DL – CHI), Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers

The Chicago Bears have released their latest injury report, and in addition to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte — both of whom are rehabbing serious injuries — several other Bears were held out of practice on Thursday. Running back Marion Barber (calf), wide receiver Devin Hester (ankle) and linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.

Lovie Smith hopes to get Barber, Hester and Briggs back on the field Friday.

Tight end Kellen Davis (back) and defensive lineman Henry Melton (shin) returned to practice on a limited basis after being held out on Wednesday. And defensive end Julius Peppers fully participated after missing Wednesday’s practice for reasons not related to injury.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this week’s game, visit Bears Blog Windy City Gridiron and Packers blog Acme Packing Company. For more from around the NFL, head over to SB Nation’s NFL news hub.

Read More: Jay Cutler (QB – CHI), Devin Hester (WR – CHI), Charles Tillman (CB – CHI), Marion Barber (RB – CHI), Sam Hurd (WR – CHI), Matt Forte (RB – CHI), Caleb Hanie (QB – CHI), Henry Melton (DL – CHI), Edwin Williams (C – CHI), Thaddeus Gibson (LB – CHI), Major Wright (S – CHI), Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears, Dec 18, 2011 12:00 PM CST

The Chicago Bears have released their Week 15 Injury Report:

Out

QB Jay Cutler
RB Matt Forte
WR Sam Hurd (released)

Questionable

DT Henry Melton
WR Devin Hester

Probable

CB Charles Tillman
G Edwin Williams
S Major Wright

The biggest news of the week has surrounded now-released WR Sam Hurd, who was arrested on federal drug charges on Thursday. The Bears used Hurd mostly on special teams, and have since promoted DE Thaddeus Gibson.

The Bears are also struggling on the injury front, with DT Henry Melton (7.0 sacks) and Devin Hester (league-leading 18.5 yards per punt return) questionable against the Seattle Seahawks. The Chicago offense will also be turning once again to backups QB Caleb Hanie and RB Marion Barber to lead the offense with Cutler and Forte still on the mend.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Read More: Marion Barber (RB – CHI), Tim Tebow (QB – DEN), Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys

Marion Barber did some good things for the Chicago Bears in Week 14, rushing 108 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, but his day will forever be defined by two mistakes: failing to stay in bounds on a second down run during a Bears’ possession near the end of regulation, and a critical fumble in overtime that allowed Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos to seal a 13-10 comeback victory. Barber left the team locker room early to avoid a post-game interview, and now a team media relations spokesman has told Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune that the NFL has warned Barber he will be fined if he continues to avoid interviews with the media.

The seven-year NFL veteran has long been wary of media interviews ever since he joined the league will the Dallas Cowboys in 2005, but the NFL collective bargaining agreement requires all players to make themselves available to the media. If they fail to do so, media can submit a complaint and the NFL can fine the player for non-participation. Barber hasn’t spoken much in a Bears uniform, and did answer several questions back in training camp, but with such critical mistakes in Week 14 he is now in serious demand. 

Perhaps he will speak after practice on Wednesday if he is concerned about a fine from the league.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the Chicago Bears be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

DENVER — Running back Marion Barber was on a roll, enjoying his best game as a Chicago Bear through about 58 minutes of football in Denver on Sunday.

But then it all came crashing down for the seventh-year pro with two costly mistakes. Even early this week, his teammates and coaches were still standing behind him, but the aftereffects of his bumbles were being felt as well.

“It’s on all of us,” Bears head coach Lovie Smith said Monday. “Yes, it’s a coaching thing. It’s on our team, on Marion, on us. All of us. It’s a situation that shouldn’t happen, but it did, and we’re all suffering the consequences for it.”

Despite rushing for 108 yards on 27 carries and helping the Bears build a 10-0 lead with a solid all-around game, Barber’s first mistake was a killer. Though he was trying to get extra yardage, he failed to stay in bounds on the first play after the two-minute warning with Denver out of timeouts. He later fumbled in overtime, leading to Denver’s game-winning field goal.

Of the two, the running out of bounds will be remembered most, because if he just dropped to the ground, the game would have most likely ended with the Bears’ offense on the field.

“I’m sure we’d all like to have that one back … All running backs are trying to get a couple more yards here or there, but we have to know the situation,” Smith said. “In that situation, we have to be able to keep the ball in bounds. He’ll tell you that.”

But instead of telling anybody anything, Barber constantly clears out his locker and bolts from the building before reporters are allowed in. Barber has talked to the media just twice this season, for about 30 seconds on each occasion. He was not around to discuss his mental mistake that cost the Bears an easy touchdown in the previous game as well, when he lined up off the line of scrimmage during a 25-20 loss to Oakland.

“I hope a lot of us,” guard Lance Louis said, “learn some lessons from this.”

Despite the mistakes, there are still teammates who insist they have a lot of confidence in the guy who averaged four yards per carry against a tough Denver defense.

“Marion Barber is going to help us get into the playoffs,” linebacker Lance Briggs said. “Things happen. They happen to all of us … If he just keeps his head up, he’s going to help the Bears win some games.”

Bears reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.

Bears running back Marion Barber fumbles in overtime Sunday against the Broncos. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

LAKE FOREST, ILL. — A tough loss lingered for the Chicago Bears on Monday and coach Lovie Smith called the 13-10 overtime defeat in Denver one of the most difficult he has ever experienced.

It was the Bears’ third straight loss, dropping them to 7-6 and putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy as they face a home game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

It was how the Bears lost to the Broncos that was really eating at them the day after.

Two crucial mistakes by running back Marion Barber hurt the Bears in the final stages, and they blew a 10-0 lead after they had pretty much put the clamps on Tim Tebow for three quarters.

“It’s going to sting for a while. Giving up a lead like that. … You are going to have losses, but losing games like that really hurts,” tight end Matt Spaeth said.

The plane ride home was a quiet one as the Bears tried to cope with what had happened.

“Just stunned, I would say would be the best word to put it,” Spaeth said. “Nobody thought we would have lost that game the way we did.”

Tebow completed only three of his first 16 pass attempts through three quarters, then hit 18-of-24 in the final quarter and overtime against a tiring Bears defense.

Chicago led 10-7 and the Broncos were out of timeouts with about two minutes to go. Barber, who ran hard all day and gained 108 yards on 27 carries, then inexplicably went out of bounds, stopping the clock.

“Whether it’s mental or not, it’s something that shouldn’t happen but it did. And things like that do happen. Marion would tell you … to stay in bounds, he was trying to stay in bounds, he should stay in bounds,” Smith said. “But you know sometimes trying to get a few more yards, it’s best to get down.”

The gaffe eventually gave the Broncos extra time and they moved in for a game-tying field goal, a 59-yarder by Matt Prater that forced overtime.

Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Rosenbloom called it “stupid and bad play by the Bears.”

“First, Barber ran out of bounds to stop the clock with less than two minutes to go,” Rosenbloom wrote. “If Barber wasn’t so mind-numbingly stupid, then the Bears would’ve killed Denver’s hope and the growing belief that Tebow was born in a manger.

“But that was nothing compared to Barber’s horrific choke in overtime, fumbling inside the Denver 40, well within Robbie Gould’s range at altitude. The Broncos recovered and eventually kicked another field goal. Ballgame. Season.”

Barber fumbled at the Denver 33 as the Bears were driving. Then it was Tebow time, and he led the Broncos into position for Prater’s game-winner.

“Definitely one of the toughest ones I’ve had to deal with, we’ve had to deal with,” Smith said. “We normally celebrate when we have a game in control like that late in the game. We haven’t been in this position very often, if at all. We don’t like it, but it’s how we respond and we will respond.”

Somehow, the Bears must put the debacle in Denver behind them.

“As big as the game is this weekend coming up, there was so much fight and heart put into this past game, it is incredibly hard to walk away from,” Bears safety Craig Steltz said.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)—A tough loss lingered for the Chicago Bears on
Monday and coach Lovie Smith called the 13-10 overtime defeat in Denver one of
the most difficult he has ever experienced.

It was the Bears’ third straight loss, dropping them to 7-6 and putting
their playoff hopes in jeopardy as they face a home game Sunday against Seattle.

It was how they lost to the Broncos that was really eating at them the day
after.

Two crucial mistakes by running back Marion Barber hurt the Bears in the
final stages, and they blew a 10-0 lead after they had pretty much put the
clamps on Tim Tebow for three quarters.

“It’s going to sting for a while. Giving up a lead like that. … You are
going to have losses but losing games like that really hurts,” tight end Matt
Spaeth said.

The plane ride home was a quiet one as the players tried to cope with what
had happened.

“Just stunned, I would say would be the best word to put it,” Spaeth said.
“Nobody thought we would have lost that game the way we did.”

Tebow completed only three of his first 16 pass attempts through three
quarters, then hit 18 of 24 in the final quarter and overtime against a tiring
Bears’ defense.

Chicago led 10-7 and the Broncos were out of timeouts with about two minutes
to go. Barber, who ran hard all day and gained 108 yards on 27 carries, then
inexplicably went out of bounds, stopping the clock. It eventually gave the
Broncos extra time and they moved in for a game-tying field goal, a 59-yarder by
Matt Prater that forced overtime.

Barber then fumbled in overtime at the Denver 33 as the Bears were driving.
Then it was Tebow time, and he led the Broncos into position for Prater’s
game-winner.

“Definitely one of the toughest ones I’ve had to deal with, we’ve had to
deal with,” said Smith. “We normally celebrate when we have a game in control
like that late in the game. We haven’t been in this position very often, if at
all. We don’t like it, but it’s how we respond and we will respond.”

With Caleb Hanie still struggling but not throwing any interceptions in his
third game replacing the injured Jay Cutler, the Bears’ running attack had some
tenacity behind Barber, who was the featured back with Matt Forte injured.

But with Bears on the cusp of being able to run out the clock, he went out
of bounds after fighting for extra yards and the clock stopped.

“Whether it’s mental or not it’s something that shouldn’t happen but it
did. And things like that do happen. Marion would tell you … to stay in
bounds, he was trying to stay in bounds, he should stay in bounds,” Smith
said. “But you know sometimes trying to get a few more yards, it’s best to get
down.”

And how down was Barber after his two gaffes? He seldom speaks to the media,
so no one was sure.

“He’s a veteran, he’s a football player and that’s how it goes when you
play ball,” Smith said. “There are going to be some days like this where you
just have a terrible feeling deep down and it would really be bad if that was
the last game you get a chance to play in. But that’s not the case.”

After facing the Seahawks, a team they beat in the playoffs last year to get
to the NFC championship game, the Bears go to Lambeau Field and face the
Packers, who could be 14-0 at the time. Then it’s a season finale on New Year’s
Day against the Vikings in Minneapolis.

Somehow the Bears must put the Denver debacle behind them.

“As big as the game is this weekend coming up, there was so much fight and
heart put into this past game, it is incredibly hard to walk away from,” Bears
safety Craig Steltz said.

“At 7-6 we’re on the outside looking in. You lose three in a row this time
of year, you are normally not in a great position,” Smith said. “But we are in
position still. And that’s what we have to keep in mind. We have to get a win.
The Seattle game was an important game, no matter what happened yesterday.”

LAKE FOREST — With Jay Cutler and Matt Forte, the short passing game keyed the Bears five-game winning streak. But with Caleb Hanie, and now Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell out there, that short passing game has been missing.

As have the victories.

“There’s definitely a huge sense of urgency, and no choices but to go get a win right here,” Hanie (0-2 as a starter) said of Sunday’s game at Denver (7-5).

Hanie has yet to find a rhythm, going 18-for-36 for 254 yards with two TDs in Oakland and 11-for-24 for 133 yards against the Chiefs in two games since Cutler broke his thumb. Hanie threw three interceptions in each game.

Forte, out for 2-4 weeks with a sprained MCL, has been up and down, but still heads into his first week “off” as the league’s No. 3 rusher (997 yards) and tops the charts in yards from scrimmage (1,487). He has just 71 yards receiving in his last five games after having 287 in his first three.

But Forte is still easily the team’s top pass catcher, hauling in 52 receptions for 490 yards. Johnny Knox (33-675), Devin Hester (25-355) and Roy Williams (24-335) are way behind Forte when it comes to targets and yards after the catch.

“Matt was unusual, he was very unusual. Putting him out as a wide receiver and some of the things we’ve done in the past, it’s a little different,” offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. “But each one of those other players, both Kahlil and Marion, have different strengths … Between the two of them, we can get what we need, to be able to do what we do on offense.”

The numbers tell a different story.

Barber had 174 receptions for 1,280 yards in six seasons with the Cowboys, with fewer than 300 yards in his best season.

“He’s not that type of player. He’s more of an in-the-tackles type of runner,” coach Lovie Smith said. “Kahlil can probably do more of the things that Matt Forte can do.”

Barber, who has three catches for 18 yards this year, would not stop to discuss his receiving abilities after practice Wednesday. He has refused to talk to reporters on all but two occasions since signing with Chicago in July.

When Bell was asked if he could get Barber to make a couple of comments, Bell replied: “Good luck; good luck with that one.”

As for Bell’s pass-catching skills, he has caught one ball for four yards in his two-plus years in a Bears’ uniform. He had 196 career yards receiving at UCLA and only 160 receiving yards in high school.

“I feel like I can catch the ball. If they need me to do that, I’m going to do that to the best of my abilities,” Bell said Wednesday. “I just think as you get older, you see what an every-down back in the league has to do. I didn’t really catch a lot of balls coming out of college. Since I’ve been here, we’ve worked on it every day.

“As you get older, the coaches get more comfortable with you and you earn their trust.”

Bell has definitely earned Hanie’s trust.

“Kahlil does a great job catching the ball. He’s only got one catch, but I’ve had a lot of work with him on the scout team in the last two or three seasons, and I feel very comfortable with him,” Hanie said. “I’m confident in his ability. He’s a good receiver, and he can make plays on the edge.”

Denver’s speedy defense will test that theory on Sunday afternoon.

Bears reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.

Marion Barber of the Chicago Bears scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL match at Wembley. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

The Glazer family suffered a second sporting defeat of the day as a late rally from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell short against the Chicago Bears at Wembley.

The Glazers had taken a helicopter south to London after seeing Manchester United crushed 6-1 at home by Manchester City but it turned out that United’s Rio Ferdinand, scheduled to join them as an honorary captain for Tampa Bay, had it right by choosing to stay at home.

The Bears’ fabled defence swamped Tampa Bay, who struggled with injuries to their running backs and failed to find any rhythm for most of the game.

Chicago’s backfield, in contrast, is blessed with Matt Forte, who thrilled the London crowd with some explosive bursts, scoring the opening touchdown as he danced into the end zone from 32 yards out late in the first quarter.

Tampa Bay could not get anything going in return, even blowing an easy chance set up by Tanard Jackson’s interception, as Josh Freeman threw the ball straight back to Chicago, nine yards from the end zone.

Chicago added a second touchdown, Jay Cutler throwing 25 yards to Roy Williams in the second quarter, and when Tampa Bay settled for a field goal on their only promising drive of the first half there was a sense it was already over.

That notion seemed to be confirmed early in the second half, when Marion Barber burst through to add a third Bears touchdown.

It took a defensive play to get Tampa Bay in position for their first touchdown, as Corey Lynch’s interception set up a short touchdown pass to Kellen Winslow early in the fourth quarter. With a two-point conversion attempt missed, the gap was still at 10 and the game was in Chicago’s hands.

But when Freeman found Dezmon Briscoe with a 24-yard pass with 7:25 still on the clock it was game on. Chicago responded with a thrilling drive but, despite a huge penalty call against Aqib Talib, they could manage only a field goal and it was down to the defence to hold on.

Arian Foster ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns as the Houston Texans reclaimed the lead in the AFC South from Tennessee by beating the Titans 41-7.

Matt Schaub threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns as the Texans improved their record to 4-3. Tennessee (3-3) have now lost two straight with the fans turning on Chris Johnson, who finished with 18 yards on 10 carries.

The Denver Broncos staged a stunning late rally to extend the Miami Dolphins’ losing streak to six games at the start of the NFL season.

Having been kept scoreless for 54 minutes, the Broncos (2-4) and quarterback Tim Tebow in particular hit back in remarkable fashion. Tebow threw two touchdown passes in the final 2:44 of the fourth quarter to force overtime and Matt Prater’s 52-yard field goal gave them an improbable 18-15 victory.

With Miami having also lost their last three games of last season, the pressure is sure to mount further on their coach, Tony Sparano.

The wide receiver Plaxico Burress caught three touchdown passes as the New York Jets beat the San Diego Chargers 27-21.

The Jets (4-3) were trailing 21-17 when a drive initiated by a Darrelle Revis interception resulted in Mark Sanchez picking out Burress for a three-yard touchdown and the decisive score. Nick Folk’s 30-yard field goal with 1:36 left increased the advantage to 27-21 and killed off the Chargers (4-2).

Cam Newton threw for 256 yards and ran for 59 more to guide the Carolina Panthers to a 33-20 defeat of the Washington Redskins.

Washington’s John Beck threw for 279 yards and scored on a short keeper in his first start in four years for Washington (3-3).

Phil Dawson converted two field goals over 50 yards as Cleveland (3-3) beat Seattle (2-4) 6-3 in a dour encounter, while Matt Ryan ran and threw for touchdowns to inspire the Atlanta Falcons (4-3) to a 23-16 victory against the Detroit Lions (5-2).

By Rick Stroud, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Monday, October 24, 2011

Barber nearly cashes in on big day

. With 14 career touchdowns, CB Ronde Barber is a rare defensive player who can change the scoreboard. On Sunday, Barber tackled RB Matt Forte in the end zone for a safety with 4:49 remaining in the first quarter.

On the Bears’ next series, Barber drifted into the right flat and got both hands on a pass by Jay Cutler. But he dropped what likely would have been an interception return for a touchdown.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Barber said.

“That was a gift.”

Barber finished with five tackles, including a 6-yard sack on third and goal during the fourth quarter, one quarterback hit and three passes defensed.

The sack was the 27th of his 15-year career, the most among defensive backs in NFL history.

“I was just keying the ball,” he said of the sack. “As soon as the ball moved, I moved.

“I don’t know who had me. It was probably the center, but he couldn’t get his hand up because he was snapping the ball with the wrong hand. I was on the right side.”

Running on empty

E arnest Graham was set to be a big part of the Bucs offense Sunday. Filling in for the injured LeGarrette Blount, he rushed for 109 yards on 17 carries in the previous week’s win over New Orleans. But on the Bucs’ first play of their second possession, Graham slipped after catching a short pass. He did not return and was in a walking boot after the game. His status has not been announced. However, Profootballtalk.com reported it’s a season-ending torn right Achilles’ tendon.

Then things went from bad to worse.

On the ensuing punt, FB Erik Lorig hurt his shoulder, although he was able to return.

“Any time you lose a player like (Graham), it always affects you on offense,” coach Raheem Morris said. “But we’re a team of next man up. It was (Kregg) Lumpkin‘s turn. You’ve got to step up and be better than the starter. That’s just our mentality. It’s what the head coach believes. It’s what the organization believes.”

With Graham out, Lumpkin rushed eight times for only 15 yards, a 1.9-yard average, and 13 of those yards came on one play.

Blount, who has missed two games with a sprained knee sustained at San Francisco, could be ready to play after the bye week at New Orleans. But the Bucs have to address their thin running back situation.

Allen Bradford, a sixth-round pick in April, was claimed off waivers by the Seahawks after being released by the Bucs two weeks ago. Tampa Bay most likely will sign Mossis Madu, an undrafted rookie free agent currently on its practice squad.

“Lorig sucked it up and was able to come back,” Morris said. “We do have to address that position. Luckily, we have a bye week in order to do that. We’re able to get that done and get some practices in and, hopefully, get these guys ready to go.”

Tanard injured during interception return

. S Tanard Jackson hasn’t wasted any time making a splash since returning from a 56-week substance-abuse suspension. During the first quarter, he picked off Jay Cutler, his second interception in as many games since being reinstated, and returned it 43 yards. But Jackson had to pull up when he strained his left hamstring and did not return.

On the Bears’ next possession, Marion Barber ripped off a 29-yard run, making backup S Corey Lynch miss at the line of scrimmage. Lynch did record an interception during the fourth quarter.

Jackson and RB Earnest Graham (see above) weren’t the only ones hurt:

• FB Erik Lorig injured his shoulder while covering a punt but returned.

• LB Mason Foster aggravated an ankle injury during the first quarter and did not return.

• Foster’s backup, Adam Hayward, aggravated a foot injury but stayed in the game.

• C Jeremy Zuttah, replacing injured starter Jeff Faine, went out in the second half with a knee injury.

• DT Brian Price sustained a right leg injury but came back.

The team’s bye week comes at a good time to get players back. RB LeGarrette Blount (knee) and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who missed their second games, could return Nov. 6 at New Orleans.

Forte runs over Bucs

. The Bears’ Matt Forte, below, had a big day, rushing for 145 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries (a 5.8-yard average). In fact, only offensive coordinator Mike Martz‘s decision to take the ball out of his hands, after 108 first-half yards, slowed him (10 carries in the second half compared with 15 in the first).

Injuries contributed to the Bucs’ problems.

LB Mason Foster aggravated an ankle injury early and did not return. S Tanard Jackson strained a hamstring while returning an interception. Gerald McCoy missed the game with an ankle injury, and fellow DT Brian Price was in and out of the game with a right leg injury.

All told, the Bears rolled up 177 yards on the ground, including 39 on six carries (6.5 average) by backup Marion Barber.

“We didn’t stop the run early,” CB Ronde Barber said. “They gave us everything we knew was coming.

“The one long (32-yard run by Forte), we had two guys on the ground. He’s a talented runner, makes you pay when you’re out of position. We didn’t answer them.”

Talib loses control

. The Bucs’ fourth-quarter comeback might have been a little less difficult if not for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against CB Aqib Talib.

Trailing by a field goal, CB Ronde Barber sacked Jay Cutler for a 6-yard loss on third and goal from the Tampa Bay 4. Assuming the Bears kicked a field goal, the Bucs would have gotten the ball back with about 3½ minutes to play and three timeouts, needing a touchdown to win.

But following the play, Talib got in the face of Bears WR Roy Williams, and referee Tony Corente ruled Talib grabbed Williams’ face mask.

Talib would not comment after the game.

“You can go watch the tape,” he said. “I got nothing for you.”

Matt Forte ran the ball three times, and the Bucs held the Bears to a 25-yard field goal. But by the time they got the ball back after the kickoff, there was only 1:50 remaining.

“The problem with us, we’re too young,” Bucs coach Raheem Morris said. “We’re foolish. We almost made the same mistake on offense, and we just can’t do those things.

“That’s a reflection of the head coach. That is completely my fault.”

Quick hits

. WR Dezmon Briscoe had career highs of six catches and 74 yards and caught his first touchdown of the season (second of his career), a 24-yarder from Josh Freeman.

. DE Adrian Clayborn recorded his team-high third sack of the season.

. TE Kellen Winslow extended his streak of games with a catch to 83. He finished with four for 25 yards and a touchdown.

[Last modified: Oct 23, 2011 10:36 PM]

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CHICAGO — While the Chicago Bears offense “just kind of took care of business,” according to head coach Lovie Smith, the defense shined during Sunday’s victory.

The Bears recorded five sacks in the 30-12 win over Atlanta, and they did not allow an offensive touchdown while forcing three turnovers, including one returned for a touchdown. Now that’s how to kick-start a season, agreed defensive tackle Henry Melton, who locked in two sacks in the first start of his career.

“For us, that’s just how you want to do it. That’s just how you want to start it off,” said Melton, who also had seven quarterback hurries. “If (Julius) Peppers keeps it going, and Amobi (Okoye), Toe (Matt Toeaina), Izzy (Israel Idonije), if they keep it going, it’s going to be open season for everybody.”

Peppers added two sacks and a forced fumble, and linebacker Brian Urlacher had 10 tackles, a diving interception and a fumble recovery that he returned for a TD in the third quarter.

“That’s just Urlacher being Urlacher,” Peppers said.

Cutler still perfect when on

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is now 22-0 when he finishes a game with a quarterback rating over 100. After completing 22-of-32 for 312 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, Cutler finished with a 107.8 QB rating Sunday.

He had five completions for more than 20 yards to four different players, including a 56-yard screen pass to Devin Hester late in the first quarter.

“He’s a gunslinger, man,” wideout Roy Williams said of Cutler. “He’s just good; he’s real good. Watch out, man.”

New guys get chances

Because the Bears were able to pull away to a big lead early in the second half, some of the new guys that may not have had quality playing time got a chance to take the field and get some big reps.

Defensive lineman Amobi Okoye took some snaps in the third quarter, getting his first sack as a Bear. Okoye was brought in after he was cut by the Jets, and he led the team with three sacks in the preseason while playing with the second-teamers.

Second-year defensive end Nick Reed defended a pass and got pressure on Falcons QB Matt Ryan twice, and new cornerback Brandon Meriweather, acquired after being cut by the Patriots last week, came in and made two tackles and covered well as the Falcons aired it out in attempt to rally.

Even running back Kahlil Bell — listed as No. 3 on the depth chart, but moved up to No. 2 for Sunday with Marion Barber out — had 10 carries (for 24 yards) and had a reception in the victory.

New KO rule works for Bears

The Bears special teams were not hurt by the new rule that moves kickoffs up to the 35; in fact, it helped them out on occasion.

Kicker Robbie Gould booted six of his eight kickoffs deep into the end zone for touchbacks, and on the other side of things, return man Devin Hester was able to return all but one of his opportunities, averaging 17.7 per return.

“We still got our opportunities in the return game,” Hester said, “and today, we took advantage.”

Rough day for Webb

Although it was a good day for most of the Chicago Bears players, it wasn’t so good for left tackle J’Marcus Webb. The second-year lineman was whistled for three holding penalties and surrendered two sacks.

“It’s about learning from your mistakes. There’s nothing on the football field that he cannot do,” offensive line captain Roberto Garza said. “It’s about getting better, and I’m sure he’s going to do that.”

Reach staff reporter Jay Taft at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.