Harris to Sapp: Give me a call

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris says he'd prefer that former Bucs Pro Bowler Warren Sapp, now an NFL commentator, talk to him personally when he has criticisms.

Sapp said on Tuesday's Mully & Hanley Show on WSCR Radio 670-AM that Harris looked like "a blind dog in a meat house," in Sunday's game.

"Thanks for saying that on air, but you can call me anytime, Warren," Harris said. "Warren knows my number. If he has anything to say, he can call me."

Sapp played the same three-technique tackle position and in the same style of defense, so Harris has been compared to him since his rookie year with the Bears. That comparison is flattering, since Sapp was a seven-time Pro Bowler, but Harris can do without the critique.

"(Does it) motivate me?" Harris said. "No. Bother me? Not at all. I could care less what he says. Looks like he got that job and went out there just to blast football players, not to motivate, so it doesn't bother me at all. I just know I have to go out there and do my job."

On the bench: For the first time in his career, 2008 third-round pick Marcus Harrison was inactive last Sunday, as Matt Toeaina and Henry Melton backed up starters Tommie Harris and Anthony Adams. Melton, a fourth-round pick in 2009 who spent his rookie season on injured reserve, has emerged as a solid special teams player. He tied for the team lead with 2 on Sunday. But that's not the only reason Harrison sat.

"It just wasn't Henry, but Matt Toeaina also," coach Lovie Smith said. "We like our defensive linemen and each week guys don't know for sure who will dress. We'll go a lot on that last week of practice. Marcus has done some good things, but we just felt like the other players have done more and deserve to dress more."

Harrison said he has been told that he will be active Sunday in Dallas.

Limited linebackers: With Hunter Hillenmeyer on injured reserve and Nick Roach (hamstring) and Lance Briggs (ankle) sitting out Wednesday's practice, the defense was missing three linebackers. Only Brian Urlacher, Pisa Tinoisamoa and backup Brian Iwuh from the 53-man roster were on the practice field, although they were joined by J.D. Folsom and just-signed Marcus Buggs from the practice squad.

A free agent is expected to be signed by today at the latest, and former Bear Rod Wilson makes sense. He was drafted in the seventh round in 2005 and spent three years here before playing two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was cut this year by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Devin Aromashodu were both limited by knee injuries, but wide receiver Earl Bennett (hamstring) worked out without restrictions after sitting out Sunday.

Extra points: Matt Forte was named NFC offensive player of the week. ... Wide receiver Greg Matthews was cut from the practice squad to make room for Marcus Buggs.