Bears' rookie RB should see field more

After getting just 2 carries and gaining only 4 yards in the first three games, rookie Ka'Deem Carey made the most of increased opportunities in Week 4, going for 72 yards on 14 rushes, for a 5.1-yard average.

"A lot of people got to see what we see in him," coach Marc Trestman said of the fourth-round pick (117th overall). "He's a hard runner, he's physical, he doesn't back down, his pads are down, he's got great quickness and great vision in the hole."

Matt Forte will continue as the alpha male in the Bears' run game, but the 5-foot-10, 207-pound Carey is proving worthy of more touches.

For the first time this season, the Bears ran a few plays with Forte and Carey on the field together.

"We're going to need him," Trestman said. "I think we saw it's not too big for him. He's got a chance to continue to get better and help us."

Forte still got 28 touches vs. the Packers (122 yards on 23 carries and 49 yards on 5 catches) after averaging 23 last season, the most productive of his first six seasons.

"Matt's going to touch the ball quite a bit," Trestman said. "Matt's touches were certainly high (Sunday), and he's going to need a break. We're going to mix Ka'Deem in there and at times, they're going to be in there at the same time."

Big problem:

The Panthers' 6-foot-5, 240-pound rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is a matchup nightmare for almost every cornerback in the NFL, including the Bears' 5-11, 190-pound Kyle Fuller and 5-8, 185-pound Tim Jennings.

"He's got length (and) he's got speed," said Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. "He's strong to the ball (and) will block in the run game.

"He makes it a point at the beginning of every game to try to set the tone in terms of how he's going to play, and he's a big-play guy for them."

Benjamin leads Carolina with 329 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns.

Getting better:

In addition to defensive end Jared Allen (pneumonia), defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (concussion), center Roberto Garza (ankle), guard Matt Slauson (ankle) and cornerback Sherrick McManis (quad) all returned to practice Wednesday but were limited. OT Jermon Bushrod (knee) also was limited.

Garza and Slauson had not practiced since suffering injuries in the first half of the season opener. Brian de la Puente at center and Michael Ola at left guard have filled in admirably.

But coach Marc Trestman said Garza and Slauson would get their starting jobs back when they're healthy, and that might not be this week.

"They were in pads and they both got some limited work," Trestman said. "It'll be day to day, and we'll see where they are at the end of the week.

"We want to get them back as soon as we can, but we want them to be in a position where they're not going to hurt themselves anymore and they're in a position to help our team win."

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle) and safety Chris Conte (shoulder) had full participation in practice. Linebackers Lance Briggs (knee), D.J. Williams (neck) and Shea McClellin (broken hand) and safety Ahmad Dixon (hamstring) did not practice.

Coming and going:

Cornerback Teddy Williams was signed off the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad and linebacker Terrell Manning was waived.

The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Williams has played in a total of 10 games with the Colts (2012) and Cardinals (2013) and also has taken snaps at wide receiver and on special teams. He spent a majority of the 2010 and '11 seasons on the Cowboys' practice squad.

Manning played in two games on special teams for the Bears this season.