Bears’ Unrein to miss game at Tampa Bay with back injury

Martin (hamstring) is expected to suit up for Sunday’s game against the Bears, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

While the rest of his teammates were warming up during Friday’s practice and doing special-teams work, Martin did some resistance runs with head athletic trainer Bobby Slater, pulling a large rubber band behind him. Chances are good that either the Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, or the second place NFC North team will get the other wild card spot. “I was practicing yesterday and I felt I’m getting there, getting to that point”.

The Bears also said Saturday that defensive back Deiondre’ Hall (ankle) did not travel with the team. A 1,400-yard rusher last season, Martin hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring Week 2. But the failure on defense came from the second level, as it seemed like no-one could cover Tampa Bay tight end Cameron Brate. “Anytime we get our guys back, it’s awesome to have those guys out there”. He’s listed as questionable.

BUCS have allowed 73 points in last 2 games and at least 27 points in 5 of 8 games. Philadelphia has one of the few true home-field advantages in the National Football League, and the Eagles are sixth in points allowed per game (18.1) and yards allowed per game (325.5). Aside from Howard and Elliott, the only rookie running back to pull that off in the last eight years was Martin, with the Bucs in 2012. “When those guys get after the quarterback, it really makes our job easy”, Conte said.

That he and Bradley McDougald are the Bucs safeties should tell you all you need to know about how beatable the Bucs are. “Jameis just has a natural charisma about him anyway; I think if you talk to anybody associated with our team, they would recognize that”. He knows the cuts, knows where things are created to go. If the Chicago Bears want to test the improbable, now is a good time to do it.

Cutler is 4-0 in his career versus the Bucs, completing 77-of-120 passes for 739 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. The Bucs will try to establish RB Doug Martin now that he is back from injury. Evans also ranks fourth in the league in receptions, fifth in yards, as well as fourth in receiving yards per game (93.1). “Doug did more every day this week”. We’re going to have to count on him.