Roster

Notable Bears defenders from Week 5 at Detroit include: CB Charles Tillman (two total tackles, interception-return for a touchdown), LB Lance Briggs (eight solo tackles, sack), DE Alex Brown (four solo tackles, sack, forced fumble), DLs Marcus Harrison and Adewale Ogunleye (solo tackle, sack each) and LB Brian Urlacher (four total tackles).

The Daily Herald tabs Bears rookie WR Johnny Knox as an early bright spot this offseason. The rookie out of Abilene Christian has displayed break-neck speed and great hands thus far. The paper hints that he'll challenge for playing time if he continues to excel. Knox has also signed his rookie contract.

Notable inactives from the Bears-Texans Week 17 game include: Bears WR Devin Aromashodu, RB Kevin Jones, QB Caleb Hanie, DB Marcus Hamilton, DL Matt Toeaina, LB Hunter Hillenmeyer and DL Ervin Baldwin. For the Texans, LB Xavier Adibi, DB Nick Ferguson, DB Matterral Richardson, DL Frank Okam, DB David Pittman and WR Darnell Jenkins are inactive.

The Chicago Bears promoted linebacker Joey LaRocque from the practice squad to the active roster Friday and placed safety Brandon McGowan on injured reserve due to an injured left ankle. DB Danieal Manning could now play a big role in Sunday's home opener against Tampa Bay. He'll move back into the nickel role with McGowan hurt and could be the primary kickoff returner if Devin Hester is sidelined by a rib injury. He was listed as questionable on Friday.

Bears DL Mark Anderson (thumb) is listed as probable for Week 1 at Indianapolis. He went through full practices Thursday and Friday after limited reps Wednesday.

At least for now, the Chicago Bears are ready to go to training camp with the wide receivers on their roster to complement new QB Jay Cutler. However, former Giants WR Plaxico Burress and disgruntled Broncos WR Brandon Marshall are intriguing possibilities for the Bears. Marshall, who caught 102 and 104 passes the past two seasons while Cutler was Broncos quarterback, has asked Denver for a trade. Burress is a free agent after being waived by the New York Giants. The Bears used Devin Hester, second-year WR Earl Bennett and sometimes Rashied Davis and Brandon Rideau with the starting WR corps throughout their organized team activities. Acquiring a No. 1 wide receiver would seem a natural move since Hester is by far the most accomplished of their receivers and has only played the position full time for one season. "I think we've got one," Cutler said about No. 1 receivers. "I think we've got one in Devin, and I think Earl is going to be dangerous on the back side as well." Cutler said he hasn't spoken to Marshall and hasn't talked to the Bears about Marshall.

Notable inactives from the Bears-Texans Week 17 game include: Bears WR Devin Aromashodu, RB Kevin Jones, QB Caleb Hanie, DB Marcus Hamilton, DL Matt Toeaina, LB Hunter Hillenmeyer and DL Ervin Baldwin. For the Texans, LB Xavier Adibi, DB Nick Ferguson, DB Matterral Richardson, DL Frank Okam, DB David Pittman and WR Darnell Jenkins are inactive.

The Chicago Tribune reports Bears RB Matt Forte continues to sit out with a hamstring injury, as expected during Wednesday's OTA workouts. The paper reports Forte is unlikely to practice this week. Kevin Jones is taking the first team reps.

Hamstring - Probable for start of training camp

The Bears signed the following players to Reserve/Futures contracts: WR John Broussard, WR Rudy Burgess, DE/LB Joe Clermond, TE Fontel Mines and LB Marcus Riley.

Notable inactives for the Packers-Bears Week 16 game include: Packers QB Brian Brohm, RB Brandon Jackson, FB Korey Hall, LB Danny Lansanah, DT Justin Harrell and DL Anthony Toribio. For the Bears, WR Devin Aromashodu, QB Caleb Hanie, FB Jason McKie, LB Gilbert Gardner, DL Matt Toeaina, WR Brandon Rideau and DL Ervin Baldwin are inactive.

Bears DB Danieal Manning took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown in Week 15's game against the Saints. The return went for 83 yards. Manning broke another long return in the game to give the Bears good field position. Manning also had two tackles in the game.

At least for now, the Bears are ready to go to training camp with the wide receivers on their roster to complement new QB Jay Cutler. However, former Giants WR Plaxico Burress and disgruntled Broncos WR Brandon Marshall are intriguing possibilities for the Bears. Marshall, who caught 102 and 104 passes the past two seasons while Cutler was Broncos quarterback, has asked Denver for a trade. Burress is a free agent after being waived by the New York Giants. The Bears used Devin Hester, second-year WR Earl Bennett and sometimes Rashied Davis and Brandon Rideau with the starting WR corps throughout their organized team activities. Acquiring a No. 1 wide receiver would seem a natural move since Hester is by far the most accomplished of their receivers and has only played the position full time for one season. "I think we've got one," Cutler said about No. 1 receivers. "I think we've got one in Devin, and I think Earl is going to be dangerous on the back side as well." Cutler said he hasn't spoken to Marshall and hasn't talked to the Bears about Marshall.

Notable inactives from the Bears-Texans Week 17 game include: Bears WR Devin Aromashodu, RB Kevin Jones, QB Caleb Hanie, DB Marcus Hamilton, DL Matt Toeaina, LB Hunter Hillenmeyer and DL Ervin Baldwin. For the Texans, LB Xavier Adibi, DB Nick Ferguson, DB Matterral Richardson, DL Frank Okam, DB David Pittman and WR Darnell Jenkins are inactive.

The Bears took Texas DE Henry Melton with a fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft. Melton is a converted running back with excellent speed but not a lot of experience. He had four sacks for the Longhorns last year.

The Denver Broncos have agreed to trade disgruntled QB Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears on Thursday. The Broncos get QB Kyle Orton in return, along with two first-round draft picks and a third-rounder. The Broncos get the Bears' top pick in this year's draft, which is No. 18 overall, and Chicago's first-round draft pick in 2010, along with a third-round selection this year (No. 84 overall). Denver also gave up a fifth-rounder this year. Cutler asked for a trade last month after his relationship with Josh McDaniels soured when the new 32-year-old coach talked to other teams about trading him. Cutler and his agent didn't think McDaniels was upfront with them about the trade talks. "We felt that (Cutler) is a very good person, a good leader," Bears GM Jerry Angelo said. "He had some things that happened in Denver. We recognized those, but we treated them as just speed bumps, part of the growing process. He's highly competitive, he's highly emotional. That just comes with the territory."

On Saturday, the Bears placed CB Nathan Vasher on Injured Reserve, making him ineligible to play again this season. Vasher has a fractured right hand.

Hand - Probable for the start of 2009 training camp

Bears LB Brian Urlacher is "nicked," according to coach Lovie Smith, who did not reveal the nature of the injury. "There's no issues with his neck, back or anything like that," Smith said, referring to past Urlacher injuries. "He is excited about where our football team is. We feel like we're going to be pretty good and he's one of our leaders." Urlacher ran on the sidelines and stretched at Wednesday's practice.

In the Bears' 31-24 loss at the Texans in Week 17, PK Robbie Gould totaled six points (one 37-yard field goal, three extra points).

Defensive tackle Israel Idonije has agreed to a two-year contract extension that keeps him with the Bears through 2011. Idonije started three games and appeared in all 16 last season, posting career highs with 28 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. A former undrafted free agent, Idonije has appeared in 71 games over the past five seasons, registering 99 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks.

Notable inactives from the Bears-Texans Week 17 game include: Bears WR Devin Aromashodu, RB Kevin Jones, QB Caleb Hanie, DB Marcus Hamilton, DL Matt Toeaina, LB Hunter Hillenmeyer and DL Ervin Baldwin. For the Texans, LB Xavier Adibi, DB Nick Ferguson, DB Matterral Richardson, DL Frank Okam, DB David Pittman and WR Darnell Jenkins are inactive.

Bears cornerback Charles Tillman practiced Wednesday for the first time in organized team activities following January surgery to repair a shoulder injury he suffered Sept. 28 against the Philadelphia Eagles. A seven-year veteran with 20 career interceptions, Tillman played in 15 games last year despite injuries to both shoulders. He lined up Wednesday with the first-team defense, replacing Zach Bowman at left cornerback. "It's full strength now," Tillman said of his shoulder. "The doctor said after the surgery I should live until I'm 102."

The Bears signed the following players to Reserve/Futures contracts: WR John Broussard, WR Rudy Burgess, DE/LB Joe Clermond, TE Fontel Mines and LB Marcus Riley.

The Bears drafted Oregon State DB Al Afalava with a sixth-round pick in the 2009 draft. He was a three-year starter at Oregon State and built a reputation for being a hard hitter. He also got into a bad car accident where he pled guilty to hit-and-run charges, a notch below the DWI charge originally handed down.

The Chicago Bears waived 18 players Saturday, including backup defensive tackle Antonio Garay, who had been expected to provide depth on the defensive line and Chris Leak, the quarterback for national champion Florida last season. Also waived were running back Josh Allen; wide receiver David Ball; defensive end Copeland Bryan; defensive tackle Tory Collins; safety Tyler Everett; defensive back Greg Fassitt; defensive end Chris Frome; wide receiver Drisan James; tight end Fonel Mines; defensive back Tim Mixon; tight end Brett Pierce; safety Andrew Shanle; and linebacker Danny Verdun-Wheeler.

Bears DL Alex Brown had two tackles Sunday against Jacksonville.

The Chicago Tribune reports Bears WR Devin Hester thinks new QB Jay Cutler is going to thrive in Chicago. "Just from the OTAs we've had, our offense has changed a whole lot," Hester said. "I feel like we're stronger than we have ever been. I feel like we're going to take the ball up and down the field. That's the kind of QB Jay brings to this team." Hester believes Cutler can make last year's receiving corps into a premier one. "If we sign a big-time WR or a free agent WR who can help our team, I'm glad," Hester said. "But the guys we have here now, we're pretty set. [The coaches] just want us to make plays. ... Jay is the type of QB who is going to find a way to get the job done."

The Bears signed linebacker Gilbert Gardner and placed running back and special teams player Garrett Wolfe on injured reserve Friday with a pulled hamstring. Gardner appeared in two games with Detroit before being released Oct. 25. A third-round pick by Indianapolis in 2004, he made 97 tackles in three seasons with the Colts and had 15 special teams tackles in 13 games with the Titans last year. Wolfe, a second-year pro, appeared in 13 games and was leading the Bears with 21 special teams tackles. He also ran for 69 yards on 15 attempts.

The Chicago Tribune reports Thursday that Bears TE Desmond Clark should benefit playing with new QB Jay Cutler. On Wednesday, Clark showed he still can get open downfield and showed off his good hands during a nice catch during team drills.

Notable inactives for the Packers-Bears Week 16 game include: Packers QB Brian Brohm, RB Brandon Jackson, FB Korey Hall, LB Danny Lansanah, DT Justin Harrell and DL Anthony Toribio. For the Bears, WR Devin Aromashodu, QB Caleb Hanie, FB Jason McKie, LB Gilbert Gardner, DL Matt Toeaina, WR Brandon Rideau and DL Ervin Baldwin are inactive.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports Bears TE Greg Olsen could be in line for a Pro Bowl berth this season based on his play this offseason and the addition of QB Jay Cutler. "He's a very good receiver, but he's a good tight end, too," offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "Greg has worked hard on his blocking. But he can be a receiver, too, no question about it. We're seeing the evolution of Greg in his third year."

The Chicago Tribune reports Bears RB Matt Forte continues to sit out with a hamstring injury, as expected during Wednesday's OTA workouts. The paper reports Forte is unlikely to practice this week. Kevin Jones is taking the first team reps.

Bears rookie WR Juaquin Iglesias has signed a four-year deal, locking him up to be ready to join the roster for the start of training camp. Iglesias has had a strong offseason, catching the attention of coaches and media in Chicago with his solid play in practice.

The Bears have announced the inactives for their Week 11 game at Green Bay. Not in uniform will be: QB Caleb Hanie (coach's decision), CB Marcus Hamilton (coach's decision), RB Kevin Jones (coach's decision), DT Matt Toeaina (coach's decision), WR Earl Bennett (coach's decision), NT Anthony Adams (coach's decision) and DE Ervin Baldwin (coach's decision).

Marcus Freeman was the Bears' fifth-round pick in the 2009 draft, and he could end up working on special teams right away.

Bears rookie DB Craig Steltz recorded his first career interception Week 9 against the Lions. He had two solo tackles.

The Bears signed former Northwestern quarterback Brett Basanez to a two-year contract on Tuesday. Basanez entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2006 after a record-setting career at Northwestern. He appeared in only one game that season, completing 6 of 11 passes for 56 yards and an interception. He missed the 2007 season with a wrist injury and spent last year on the Panthers' practice squad.

The Chicago Bears placed rookie linebacker Jamar Williams on injured reserve Tuesday and signed linebacker Rod Wilson from the practice squad.

The Bears signed LB Dwayne Slay to the practice squad on Thursday.

The Bears placed DT Dusty Dvoracek on Injured Reserve following Week 14 after hurting his arm in Week 13. The team signed WR Devin Aromashodu off the Redskins' practice squad to fill the roster spot.

The Bears agreed to terms with safety Josh Bullocks on Wednesday. Bullocks was a second-round draft choice of the Saints in 2005 and has appeared in 62 games with 49 starts, while also contributing on special teams. He has six interceptions and 306 tackles as a defensive back.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Bears have signed LB Pisa Tinoisamoa to a one-year deal. Tinoisamoa will battle Hunter Hillenmeyer for the starting strongside linebacker job.

Notable inactives from the Bears-Texans Week 17 game include: Bears WR Devin Aromashodu, RB Kevin Jones, QB Caleb Hanie, DB Marcus Hamilton, DL Matt Toeaina, LB Hunter Hillenmeyer and DL Ervin Baldwin. For the Texans, LB Xavier Adibi, DB Nick Ferguson, DB Matterral Richardson, DL Frank Okam, DB David Pittman and WR Darnell Jenkins are inactive.

The Bears took Vanderbilt CB D.J. Moore with a fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft, their fifth Vanderbilt player on the roster (a list that includes Jay Cutler). Moore is small -- 5-foot-9 -- but plays tough and has excellent ball skills.

Notable inactives from the Bears-Texans Week 17 game include: Bears WR Devin Aromashodu, RB Kevin Jones, QB Caleb Hanie, DB Marcus Hamilton, DL Matt Toeaina, LB Hunter Hillenmeyer and DL Ervin Baldwin. For the Texans, LB Xavier Adibi, DB Nick Ferguson, DB Matterral Richardson, DL Frank Okam, DB David Pittman and WR Darnell Jenkins are inactive.

The Bears signed the following players to Reserve/Futures contracts: WR John Broussard, WR Rudy Burgess, DE/LB Joe Clermond, TE Fontel Mines and LB Marcus Riley.

RB Kevin Jones, FB Jason Davis, WR Earl Bennett, TE Kellen Davis, WR Rashied Davis, WR Marty Booker and backup QB Rex Grossman did not record stats in Week 16's game against the Packers.

Bears RB Adrian Peterson, TE Desmond Clark and WR Brandon Lloyd all played complementary roles in the team's Week 16 win vs. the Packers. Peterson had 2 rush yards on two carries, Clark had 37 yards on four catches and Lloyd had a 16-yard catch.

The Chicago Bears re-signed linebacker Nick Roach, an exclusive rights free agent, on Monday. Roach, who started nine games and appeared in 14 overall, was credited with 25 solo tackles and 15 assists last season. He went undrafted out of Northwestern in 2006 and spent the first 11 weeks on the San Diego Chargers' practice squad as a rookie in 2007 before joining the Bears in late November. He appeared in the final three games that year and recorded five special teams tackles.

Bears LB Lance Briggs had five tackles Sunday against Jacksonville.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Bears rookie DB Trumaine McBride is expected to start Week 13 against the Giants in placed of the injured Nathan Vasher, who is probable with a groin injury. Vasher practiced Friday, but has missed the last eight games. Bears head coach Lovie Smith expects Vasher to ease his eay back into the rotation. He could play in nickel situations against the Giants. "Once we bring him back, we probably wouldn't play him the entire game," Smith said. "I wouldn't say he'd go from none of the reps to all of the reps."

Tight end Michael Gaines and the Chicago Bears agreed Monday on a one-year contract. Gaines was a seventh-round draft pick of Carolina in 2004 and has 79 catches for 810 yards and five touchdowns in his career with the Panthers, Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. Gaines caught 23 passes for 260 yards and a TD for the Lions last season.

The Houston Texans released veteran linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and 20 other players Friday, the day before NFL teams must set their 53-man rosters. Also released Friday was veteran safety Glenn Earl, who started 15 games in 2006 but missed all of last season with a fractured foot, and defensive tackle Anthony Maddox, who spent the last two seasons with the team. Other players released were fullback Jon Abbate, quarterbacks Shane Boyd and Alex Brink, linebackers Kevis Coley and Ben Moffitt, center Greg Eslinger, cornerbacks Jamar Fletcher, Derrick Roberson and Dexter Wynn, receivers Darnell Jenkins, LeRon McCoy and Mark Simmons, tight end Ryan Krause, defensive linemen Gabe Long and Jesse Nading, running back Marcel Shipp and tackle Torrin Tucker.

Bears DT Jarron Gilbert signed a four-year deal, locking him into coming to Bears camp on time in late July. Gilbert was the team's top pick in the 2009 draft when they took him in the third round.

Bears DB Corey Graham got knocked woozy Week 7 against the Vikings and had to leave the game.

Bears DT Tommie Harris hadn't been on the practice field at all during OTAs, but made an appearance during the individual skills portion of practice. He missed two games last year due to a knee injury and has been plagued by hamstring and knee problems much of the last three seasons. Harris, who has 24 1/2 career sacks, drew double teams during the 2006 Super Bowl season, enabling other linemen to stage a stronger pass rush. The Bears' pass rush has suffered with Harris hurt. "It's as good as I've felt," Harris said. "I'm taking time, I'm taking advantage of the offseason and I'm getting ready for training camp. And hopefully I'll get to help the guys when the season comes."

Hamstring, Knee - Probable for start of training camp

Bears DB Kevin Payne had three tackles Sunday against Jacksonville.

The Bears signed the following players to Reserve/Futures contracts: WR John Broussard, WR Rudy Burgess, DE/LB Joe Clermond, TE Fontel Mines and LB Marcus Riley.

The Bears signed the following players to Reserve/Futures contracts: WR John Broussard, WR Rudy Burgess, DE/LB Joe Clermond, TE Fontel Mines and LB Marcus Riley.

RB Kevin Jones, FB Jason Davis, WR Earl Bennett, TE Kellen Davis, WR Rashied Davis, WR Marty Booker and backup QB Rex Grossman did not record stats in Week 16's game against the Packers.

The Bears signed safety Terrence Holt and placed rookie cornerback Zack Bowman on injured reserve Wednesday because of a biceps injury he suffered during an impressive debut against Minnesota.

DL Adewale Ogunleye came up with a critical interception of Drew Brees deep in Bears territory in Thursday's Week 15 game against the Saints. He also had six tackles in the game.

The Bears drafted Pitt WR Derek Kinder with a seventh-round pick in the 2009 draft.