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Trestman says Rosario 'in the mix' at tight end

BOURBONNAIS - Bears coach Marc Trestman has been in contact with suspended tight end Martellus Bennett, but Trestman didn't have much to divulge on their Tuesday night conversation.

"It was a very positive conversation," Trestman said. "We just touched base with each other, and I think I'll just leave it at that. We did what we said that we would do, and that was talk."

In Bennett's absence, eighth-year veteran Dante Rosario continued to take most of the first-team reps. The 6-foot-3, 242-pound Rosario had just 1 reception for 13 yards last season but was a key contributor on special teams. Rosario caught a combined 58 passes for 577 yards with the Carolina Panthers in 2009-10, but he lacks the girth of the 265-pound Bennett as a blocker.

If / when Bennett returns, Rosario will return to his role as a contender for the No. 2 job, along with veterans Matthew Mulligan, Zach Miller and Jeron Mastrud. Those four all should get significant reps in the preseason opener Friday night at Soldier Field against the Eagles, since Bennett is not expected to play.

"Dante is in the mix, but we do have a competition for that second position right now," Trestman said. "He knows that, and that's why we're moving guys around. But he's steady. We like what he did in all the OTAs in terms of his pass-catching ability. He's hobbled through a couple days, nicked up a little but, but he's pushing himself through camp, and I think coaches and players respect that."

The Trestman manifesto:

In light of the Martellus Bennett suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, it was interesting to hear coach Marc Trestman expound on his training camp philosophy.

"The overriding philosophy is to get to know each other, to develop levels of trust between each other, coaches to players, players to coaches and to define our behavior through respect and humility," Trestman said. "We're going to respect everybody around us. We're going to treat them in high regard, and we're going to understand what humility means, which is that we're part of something that's bigger than ourselves. "It's really that simple. If you understand (that), and you love football and want to play it and are a baller, we'll find a place for you."

Trestman said that players take varying amounts of time to comprehend that philosophy, but he and his staff work to make the message constant and consistent.

"We don't expect everybody to understand that immediately," the coach said. "That's a transformational process. It may not take a year; it may take more. But that's the day-to-day message that we're sending our coaches, and I'm sending our players.

"If we do that, we're going to be in a better chance to win football games."

Injury list:

Right guard Kyle Long did not practice Wednesday because of a sore ankle.

Also out were: cornerbacks Tim Jennings (quad) and Isaiah Frey (hamstring), guard Eben Britton (hamstring), tackle Jordan Mills (left foot) and defensive end Jared Allen (excused for personal reasons).

Coach Marc Trestman hasn't ruled anyone out yet, but those who didn't practice Wednesday are considered doubtful for Friday night's game.

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