SAN FRANCISCO -- After failing to play a single snap last week in the Chicago Bears' 13-6 loss to the Houston Texans, former starting nickel back D.J. Moore is a healthy scratch against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday.
Moore had been the club's primary nickel back for the past two and a half seasons until he lost his starting job two weeks ago to veteran Kelvin Hayden. It's unclear why Moore fell out of favor so rapidly with the Bears coaching staff especially since he's displayed the ability to consistently take the ball away with 10 career interceptions.
However, the Bears probably don't need to have two nickel backs active Monday night considering San Francisco's offense leads the NFL in rushing yards per game (170.2).
This marks just the fourth time Moore has been inactive since his rookie year of 2009.
The Bears are expected to get a lift on offense as first-year wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is active for the first time since he broke his right hand in the Bears' win over Jacksonville on Oct. 7. Jeffery practiced all week and was listed as probable on the official injury report.
Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler and rookie defensive end Shea McClellin were both ruled out last Friday after each player suffered a concussion in Week 10 against the Houston Texans.
The other Bears inactives are wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, defensive tackle Matt Toeaina, defensive end Cheta Ozougwu and offensive lineman Edwin Williams.
For San Francisco, second-year quarterback Colin Kaepernick gets the start over Alex Smith who did not receive medical clearance from the Niners' medical staff to return after he sustained a concussion in the 49ers game last week against the St. Louis Rams.St. Louis Rams
