Chicago Bears' Mundy competing for starting job

BOURBONNAIS - Strong safety Ryan Mundy led the Bears in solo tackles by a wide margin last year with 62, and he tied for the team lead with a career-best 4 interceptions while starting all 16 games.

But under a new regime and with new players on the roster, the only thing that will get Mundy is a chance to compete for a starting job.

The Bears brought in 10-year veteran standout Antrel Rolle on a three-year, $11.25 million deal to be one of the starters at safety.

That leaves Mundy to compete against 2014 fourth-round pick Brock Vereen, while this year's fifth-round pick, Adrian Amos, waits for an opportunity.

"From my understanding, it's an open competition," said Mundy, who started nine games alongside Rolle with the New York Giants in 2013. "I don't always control the decisions that are made, but I can control how I respond to them.

"I've just been positive about it, uplifting my teammates, making sure they're getting better, I'm getting better and we're out here working hard.

"Last year was last year, and even though I had a good year, we (were bad) on defense, so I don't know if that cancels out or anything."

In a holding pattern:

The status of first-round pick Kevin White's shin injury continues to be a source of concern to the media and fans.

But coach John Fox remains optimistic, even though the 6-foot-3 wide receiver has yet to practice, and his return doesn't appear to be imminent.

White has done nothing more than observe the five training-camp practices and has been idled since June.

"I think he's making headway," Fox said, who indicated that the rookie has a good deal of conditioning ahead of him before he can return to practice.

"We're building him back to getting a chance to come back and play football, instead of just throwing him out there."

Asked when White's absence would become a problem, Fox said: "It's all a problem. Coaching this stuff is a problem. I'd prefer him to be out there, but I've seen guys miss time and have the seasons of their lives.

"I'm not going to try to define him. He'll do that himself."

White's off-field activity still doesn't include putting much stress on his injured leg.

"We're just not doing a lot with him as far as strong on-grass movement," Fox said. "I'm not going to get into all of his things, but some of it is in water.

"There are a lot ways to build your cardio system without pounding on a particular body part. So we're in that stage and hopefully it continues to grow."

White's return might not come before the end of training camp, which concludes Aug. 16.

"Sooner rather than later is what I hope," Fox said. "But it's just a hope."

Injury bug bites:

It was a rough Monday practice for tight ends.

Starter Martellus Bennett was sick to his stomach and sidelined briefly but returned.

Backup Zach Miller, who had an excellent camp a year ago before suffering a season-ending injury in the first preseason game, suffered a stinger and did not return.

Miller also had an uncharacteristic drop on a quick slant pass from Jimmy Clause in 11-on-11, red-zone work that would have been a touchdown.

Finally, Brian Vogler, a 6-foot-7, 262-pound undrafted rookie from Alabama, went in with trainers after a foot injury and did not return.

Other injury news:

Alshon Jeffery did not practice Monday because of a sore shoulder and cornerback Alan Ball was held out due to a nagging foot injury that needs occasional rest.

Jeffery was injured when he landed on his shoulder after a fall in Sunday's practice, and the team is taking a cautious approach.

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