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Allen empathizes with former teammate Peterson

Defensive end Jared Allen was a teammate for six years on the Minnesota Vikings with future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson.

But they will not face each other Sunday.

Peterson has been on the commissioner's exempt list while the misdemeanor reckless assault charge against him for disciplining his 4-year-old son was adjudicated. So Allen was asked if he wished A.P. was playing Sunday.

"No," Allen blurted out, drawing laughs. "One of the top running backs in the NFL to be playing against us? No, I don't want him playing."

Turning serious, Allen said: "The Adrian I know was always a kind-hearted, gentle, very generous human being. Obviously he made a mistake. I just pray that him and his family and his son and everybody that's going through it, I hope everybody learns from it, and they can heal their wounds.

"He's obviously had to deal with the punishment," Allen continued. "Do I think his football career should be ended over it? No. Do I hope he learned a valuable lesson and do I think he did? Yeah. Obviously you go through stuff, you face the consequences. If he happens to come back the week after we play him - awesome."

Wheels on the bus:

On Jordy Nelson's 40-yard TD catch Sunday night, the Packers' wide receiver got a clean release against Bears cornerback Tim Jennings, who failed to even slow him up.

But Bears defensive coordinator Mel Tucker wouldn't single Jennings out for criticism.

"When we start talking about individual guys on individual plays, I don't go there because I'm not a guy that's going to throw a guy under the bus," Tucker said. "I don't believe in doing that. Never have, never will. On that particular play, we, as a defense, didn't get the job done in multiple areas. Rush and coverage. That's where it stands."

O-line personnel a work in progress:

With Jordan Mills and Eben Britton missing practice Wednesday, the ever-changing offensive line remains a question mark.

Mills started at right tackle last week but left in the second quarter with a rib injury, and Michael Ola moved from left guard to take his place, with Brian de la Puente taking over at left guard. Opening day left guard Matt Slasuon (chest) was put on injured reserve last week.

"Brian is going to have an opportunity to play, and we'll see where Jordan's at and continue to move him around," coach Marc Trestman said. "We think they're all good players who can play those positions, and we can have success. But it is obviously causing us to move some people around."

It's a theory:

Bears coach Marc Trestman declined to single out any coaches from his past that he could emulate in overcoming tough times because he didn't want to "disrespect" anyone through omission. But he has his own methods.

"At times like this, you have to embrace it and positively take it on and apply pressure to each and every one of us to be accountable for the situation," Trestman said. "To go inside and come out every day and be at your best."

Not feeling it:

As is often the case with teams whose playoff chances have all but evaporated, the 3-6 Bears' list of players who did not participate in Wednesday's practice was longer than usual.

It included four starters: tight end Martellus Bennett (ribs), wide receiver Brandon Marshall (ankle), cornerback Tim Jennings (knee) and offensive tackle Jordan Mills (ribs). Guard-tackle Eben Britton (appendectomy), wide receiver Josh Morgan (shoulder) and defensive end Cornelius Washington (illness) also didn't practice. Linebacker Darryl Sharpton (hamstring) was limited.

For the 4-5 Vikings, who are coming off a bye, tight end Kyle Rudolph (abdomen/groin) was limited and every other player was a full participant.

Rearranging deck chairs:

Wide receiver B.J. Cunningham and guard Antoine McClain were added to the practice squad.

Cunningham appeared in two games with the Philadelphia Eagles last season after being selected by the Miami Dolphins in the sixth round (183rd overall) of the 2012 draft. McClain entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 out of Clemson.

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