Sept. 24--Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery missed practice yet again Thursday at Halas Hall, still hindered by a hamstring injury.
Jeffery hasn't been fully healthy since early August and after missing last weekend's loss to the Arizona Cardinals plus the first two practices of this week, his availability for Sunday's game in Seattle remains in doubt.
The Bears offense will already be without starting quarterback Jay Cutler with Jimmy Clausen preparing to start. Cutler, dealing with his own hamstring issue, missed practice again Thursday as expected and could be on the shelf awhile yet.
Jeffery's absence will only make things more difficult for Clausen and the offense as they head into a hostile road environment to face a tenacious Seahawks defense.
Offensive coordinator Adam Gase acknowledged the ripple effect for the Bears in not having their top receiver healthy.
"He affects everything," Gase said. "He's a difference maker. He's a big guy and (as a defense) you have to make sure you know where he's at. We like moving him around and putting him in different spots. And then that moves everybody else around.
"So it's hard to target who we're trying to get the ball to and who's really the main guy that week. And right now it's easier (for defenses) to kind of focus on a couple of guys. And most teams can probably see where we're trying to get the ball. So now we need some guys to step up so we can spread it out."
Jon Bostic (ankle) also missed practice for the Bears on Thursday. Limited participants were Matt Forte (knee), Pernell McPhee (knee), Marquess Wilson (shoulder), Matt Slauson (thigh and toe), Ego Ferguson (knee) and Tracy Porter (hamstring).
