Fox has muted response to McCarthy's jab

Last Wednesday, at their annual fan luncheon, coach Mike McCarthy said: “We will proudly stand as the 95th team in the history of the Green Bay Packers when we kick Chicago's (butt)!”

That will serve as bulletin board material for a Bears team that is a 6½-point underdog, even though it has an alleged homefield advantage. Bears coach John Fox had a diplomatic response — at least for public consumption.

“Well, I looked at the tape (from last year),” Fox said. “They should be confident.”

In last year's two meetings, the Packers outscored the Bears 93-31, including a 38-17 victory at Soldier Field.

Bears offensive lineman Kyle Long also downplayed the slight.

“Yeah, I saw that,” he said. “I mean, a coach is supposed to try and instill confidence in his team. I get that.”

Not all right:

In addition to the shifting situation on the right side of the offensive line, left tackle Jermon Bushrod's back injury is a concern.

Bushrod did not participate in the portion of Monday's practice that is open to the media, although he was able to jog and stretch.

His status won't be known until Wednesday, when teams are required to announce their injured players. But Bushrod said having a static day-to-day schedule will help him be ready on game days.

“It's coming along pretty good,” the 31-year-old, nine-year veteran said. “I'm sticking to a set schedule, so I'll be able to do the things on and off the field that I have to do. We'll see where we're at Wednesday and Thursday.”

It's a business:

Right guard Kyle Long (first round) and right tackle Jordan Mills (fifth round) came to the Bears in the same draft and started all 16 games side-by-side as rookies in 2013.

They developed a close relationship on and off the field, but Mills was cut Sunday.

“It's a very tough business,” Long said after Monday's practice. “It's very difficult to lose one of your best friends, a guy that I came in with, roommates on the road in hotels, study partners.

“I spoke to Jordan, and I think this could probably catapult him into a really positive place somewhere else. There are 31 other teams, and everyone needs guys who have experience. He's done it at a high level.”

A few hours later Mills was signed by the Dallas Cowboys.

“As I tell guys, it's not personal,” Fox said of the parting of ways. “We liked other guys better.”

Familiar faces:

The 10-man practice squad includes five players who were with the team in training camp but waived in the final cutdown.

Nose tackle Terry Williams, defensive lineman Brandon Dunn, wide receiver Ify Umodu, linebacker Jonathan Anderson and cornerback Jacoby Glenn were brought back.

They join wide receiver Jalen Saunders, linebacker Lamin Barrow, offensive tackle Nick Becton, tight end Gannon Sinclair and running back/fullback Pail Lasike.

Practice-squad players are paid a minimum of $6,600 per week during the season.