Bears ILB Danny Trevathan misses practice with calf strain

After the Bears didn’t provide an explanation for inside linebacker Danny Trevathan’s absence the last week, the NFL’s injury report required them to give one Wednesday.

Coach John Fox said Trevathan strained his calf in the loss to the Saints on Oct. 29. Trevathan missed one play because of it but returned.

“It got more sore 48 hours after the game,” Fox said.

RELATED STORIES

Back from another injury, can Bears WR Markus Wheaton make an impact?

Packers cut former Bears TE Martellus Bennett

The team’s leading tackler, Trevathan missed practice Wednesday after not being spotted Monday or in either of the bye-week practices last week.

If he’s unable to face the Packers on Sunday, he could be replaced by Nick Kwiatkoski, who Fox said was “getting back to himself” since injuring his pec in Week 2. Or the Bears could turn to John Timu, who was a full practice participant after hurting his left knee and ankle in Week 5.

Kwiatkoski hasn’t appeared on the injury report the last two weeks but has been limited to one defensive snap, having lost his starting job to Christian Jones. Kwiatkoski said it was too early in the week to wonder how much he’d play.

“We do a good job as a unit,” Kwiatkoski said. “Everyone prepares as if we’re in the game, no matter if you’re in or you’re out.”

Kwiatkoski praised Trevathan’s tenacity in returning from injury. He tore his patellar tendon last year but returned in time to start the Bears’ opener.

“He was able to turn not playing football in almost a year into performing at a high level with ease,” Kwiatkoski said.

Rivers report

Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains instructed rookie Mitch Trubisky to chat up the Bears’ newest receiver, Dontrelle Inman, about his former quarterback, Philip Rivers.

“I’ve encouraged Mitchell, ‘Hey, pick his brain,’ ” Loggains said. “He’s been around one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and you can learn a lot from that guy. And he does everything the right way. He’s a great competitor. So pick his brain and ask him questions. He has good football IQ.”

Trubisky said he did. He has been impressed by the former Chargers receiver.

“A smart player, likes to study the game, a really hard worker studying the offense,” he said. “He’s picked up things really quickly around here.”

This and that

Other Bears who didn’t practice: tight end Dion Sims (illness), offensive lineman Tom Compton (ankle), defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris (hamstring), cornerback Bryce Callahan (knee) and cornerback Sherrick McManis (hamstring).

• Guard Kyle Long (finger) was limited. Centers Cody Whitehair (elbow) and Hroniss Grasu (hand) were full participants.

• The Packers ruled out safety Morgan Burnett (groin).

Follow me on Twitter @patrickfinley.

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com