SEATTLE – The Bears allowed a back-breaking kickoff return touchdown to a dynamic rookie for the second straight week Sunday in Seattle.
Seven days after the Cardinals' David Johnson brought back the opening kickoff 108 yards at Soldier Field, the Seahawks' Tyler Lockett returned the second-half kickoff 105 yards Sunday. Both were the longest kickoff returns for the two franchises, but those weren't the only records set.
It's the first time in Bears history they have allowed more than one kickoff return touchdown in a single season—and there are still 13 games left on the schedule.
Asked after Sunday's 26-0 loss to the Seahawks about correcting the special-teams issues, coach John Fox said: "We just have to keep evaluating. We have to evaluate what we're doing and who we're doing it with."
Lockett's touchdown came after the Bears defense had played an inspired first half, holding the Seahawks to two field goals and 125 total yards.
"Any time you give up a kickoff for a touchdown, it's going to change momentum," said kicker Robbie Gould. "In a tough place like Seattle, on the road, it's going to change the momentum. The defense played great; they kept us in the game for a long time and then we gave up that play, which obviously changed the momentum of the second half. We've just got to do a better job."
Without Alshon: Quarterback Jay Cutler wasn't the only starter the Bears offense missed Sunday. Receiver Alshon Jeffery sat out his second straight game with a hamstring injury.
"It's tough," said quarterback Jimmy Clausen, who subbed for Cutler. "Alshon is a big playmaker for us. But I thought the receivers played well today when we had our chances to try and push the ball down the field or just throw it."
Operating a ground-oriented attack, Clausen completed 9 of 17 passes for 63 yards and a 61.6 passer rating. Tight end Martellus Bennett led the Bears with four receptions for 15 yards, while receiver Eddie Royal added three catches for 17 yards.
Asked about the Bears ending all 10 of their possessions with punts, Clausen said: "Yeah, that's not good, obviously. We needed to get the ball down in the red zone to try to get us an opportunity to kick a field goal or score [a touchdown]. But it just didn't happen."
On the shelf: In addition to Cutler and Jeffery, linebacker Jonathan Bostic (ankle) also sat out with an injury. Other Bears inactives were center Hroniss Grasu, tackle Tayo Fabuluje, outside linebacker Willie Young and defensive lineman Brandon Dunn.
Defensive tackle Will Sutton exited in the second half with a biceps injury. Asked about losing Sutton, defensive end Jarvis Jenkins said: "Guys have got to play more positions, guys have got to play more snaps. That's what offseason conditioning is about, that's what weightlifting is about. When you're short a man, another guy has got to step up."
Left tackle Jermon Bushrod was evaluated for a concussion and cleared.
News and notes: Clausen's career record as a starter fell to 1-11. ... The Bears have allowed 105 points, their most in the first three games of a season since they permitted 111 in 2003 in losses to the 49ers, Vikings and Packers. ... Outside linebacker Jared Allen's interception last Sunday against the Cardinals remains the defense's only takeaway of the season. ... The Bears have allowed points in all 12 quarters of play this year.
