Rookie woes: Bears 2012 class struggling to stay healthy, make impact - Moon Mullin: The Bears kept their top four draft selections, but the four players have combined to miss 17 games this season, with first-rounder Shea McClellin's status for Monday night unknown.

Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Will Rodriguez catch more passes? Should Dobbins have been suspended? Is Podlesh healthy?

Team report - The Bears know what their problems are on offense, but it remains to be seen if they can do anything about them, especially considering they'll probably be without starter Jay Cutler.

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Cutler concussionwatch 2012

Bears’ season takes leap into unknown with Jay Cutler’s injury - Rick Telander: Concussions aren’t sprained ankles, and they don’t always take care of themselves. Cutler has had concussions before, including back at Vanderbilt, and piling them on can lead to a tipping point — where brain damage is progressive and permanent

NFCN Blog - Kevin Seifert: Why the penalty flag on Dobbins was justified regardless of other circumstances.

Brian Urlacher would lie to cover up concussion - Michael C. Wright: With concussion awareness at the forefront as the Bears await word about the availability of Jay Cutler for Monday night's game at San Francisco, linebacker Brian Urlacher challenged the league's sincerity regarding player safety.

Urlacher proves the NFL’s concussion message is worthless - Adam Hoge: Whether the NFL's efforts to properly educate its players and the world about head injuries is sincere, it doesn't really matter.

The NFL's focus is on concussion protocol, but it should be on brain injuries - Greg Couch: In the days after the nightmare of Concussion Sunday, when QBs Michael Vick, Alex Smith and Jay Cutler were all knocked out of games, Goodell has decided to go on a PR campaign instead of a brain-saving one.

QBs and changes to the game of football - Moon Mullin on recent QB injuries and what it could mean for the future of football.

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Bears-49ers

49ers’ Smith returns to practice; Cutler’s status remains uncertain - Sean Jensen: Alex Smith of the San Francisco 49ers was cleared to return to practice Wednesday, although he wore a non-contact jersey.

Brad Biggs on Mully & Hanley - Bears needs to prepare as if Jason Campbell will be the starter; even if Cutler is ready for the game, Biggs thinks the Bears are facing the most physical defense they’ve seen all season.

Matt Bowen: Scouting the Bears - Bears strong safety can't bite too hard at play action; San Francisco 49ers will try to bait defense just enough to free up receiver between defensive backs.

Durkin’s Playbook - The 49ers don't lead the league in rushing by accident, it's by design. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has devised the most diverse running scheme in the NFL, dusting off old running concepts and putting a modern spin on them.

Team news - Mark Potash: Josh McCown is as ready as he can be, having been in camp with the Bears; the team worked out four punters on Wed morning; Blake Costanzo's return to the bay.

Injury report - Adam Hoge: Jay Cutler did not practice Thursday, increasing the doubt about whether or not he'll be able to play on Monday. Alshon Jeffery returned to the practice field.

[Video] NFL Live - Backup QB you trust the most? Decaf Herm goes with our very own Jason Campbell. [Video] Also favours veteran backup QB to lead team to a win.

Know thy enemy - Maggie Hendricks with what you need to know about the 49ers.

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Other Bears news

Dave Toub: Bears tried out punters 'for a reason' - Jeff Dickerson: Dave Toub said he was pleased with how Adam Podlesh punted the ball during Thursday's practice, but acknowledged the veteran "is in kind of a slump right now."

How did the Bears handle JJ Watt? - Most of the NFL world expected Texans ace J.J. Watt to terrorize the Bears and their much-maligned O-line. But it didn't happen.

PFF snapshot - Looking at LB Tackle Efficiency. Briggs among the most efficient and Roach among the least, but is that on the Bears' scheme?

PFF snapshot - DL Pass Rushing Productivity: Henry Melton among the most productive interior pass rushers.

Dionne Miller's `Happenings at Halas' - November 15: Jay Cutler did not practice as the Bears got back to work preparing for San Francisco, and Lovie Smith has no idea if that will change tomorrow.

Bear naked - Brandon Marshall's photo on twitter had a teammate unknowingly baring his backside to WR's 750k followers.

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Polish sausage

Dead money disasters - Joel Corry: Bad contracts can set a team back for years.

Know thy enemy: Lions - On Sunday against the Packers, and in most of the final seven games this season, the Lions' depleted secondary will finally be tested by one of the league's best QBs.

Backup QB a difficult position to fill - Steve Silverman's top 8 backups in the NFL.

Kay Paradiso's guest video week - "Noise. Not noisy. Pop music."