NFL: Week 3 injury report: Bears WR Jermaine Kearse not expected to play

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Kearse, who suffered a knee injury in the Week 2 loss to the Steelers, did not practice for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins because of the injury.

Rapoports said the Bears will likely start Kearse at wide receiver against the Saints, and that rookie Jaydon Mickens will take over the slot receiver duties.

Kearse had three catches for 24 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ Week 1 loss.

Kearsey’s injury also has left the Bears with no starting wide receivers on the 53-man roster.

In addition to Kearse and Mickens, the Bears have three rookie receivers on their 53-player roster.

“I’m not sure if he’s going to play, and I’m not even sure if it’s a bad thing,” linebacker Brian Urlacher said of Kearse’s status Sunday.

“But you can’t sit here and wait.

I think the biggest thing right now is we need to get Jermain out there, get him healthy, get a lot of confidence out there.

It’s tough. “

It’s just a matter of doing what we have to do.

It’s tough.

It hurts.

But I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and I’ll get through this.”

The Bears (2-2) are playing without rookie tight end Zach Miller (foot), linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski (foot) and receiver Anthony Bennett (ankle).

“We just got to get that [tight end] out there,” linebacker Lance Briggs said.

“That’s the only thing we’re focusing on right now.

I’ve been out there with him and he’s doing a great job, so that’s all we’re worried about right now.”

The Dolphins (2,1) have won five of six, including three straight by an average of 17 points.

Miami is on the road for the first time since Oct. 26-Nov. 2.

The Dolphins have a five-game winning streak.

They’ve won at least two in each of their past five games.

They are 6-0 when scoring at least 90 points.

The Bears and Dolphins have met once in the postseason, a 30-24 win in Chicago on Oct. 10, 2009.