Jeffery returns to practice after injury

Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery returned to practice for the first time since Aug. 12, when he suffered a calf injury at a walk-through.

During the part of practice that the media is allowed to watch, Jeffery participated in individual work and ran well, although not quite at full speed.

"I thought it went well," coach John Fox said. "Our training staff felt he did well. We'll see how he feels overnight, but it was encouraging to see him out there running routes."

Asked what he needed to see from Jeffery before Sunday's game, Fox said, "He's got to be healthy. He hasn't been out here for some time (but) based on what I saw today, mentally he's on top of it, and physically he looks like he's gaining ground."

Jeffery followed up his 2013 Pro Bowl season with 85 catches for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He refuted rumors that he stayed out for so long so as not to jeopardize his health in the final year of his rookie contract with a big payday on the horizon.

"Totally not true," he said. "My contract situation has nothing to do with it. It'll take care of itself. I wasn't at practice because I've been injured. If you've ever had a calf injury, any of you guys, you would know."

As for his Sunday availability, Jeffery said: "We just set it at one day at a time. Whatever the trainers and the coaches say, we're going to roll with that."

Forget about it:

Coach John Fox doesn't believe his team can get much out of watching last year's games against the Packers, losses of 38-17 and 55-14.

"I mentioned the other day that I've seen the tapes of both of those games, but we can't change that," Fox said.

"Most of us, the coaching staff, we weren't here. We have new players, we have new schemes, and I think we get to define what we are going to be this year."

Injury update:

In addition to Alshon Jeffery, two other wide receivers, Eddie Royal (hip) and Marquess Wilson (hamstring), were limited at Wednesday's practice, as was linebacker Jon Bostic (ankle). Linebacker Sam Acho (illness) and cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring) did not practice.

Quarterback Jimmy Clauson and nose tackle Eddie Goldman both were full participants after suffering concussions during the preseason.

For the Packers, safety Morgan Burnett (calf) did not participate, while wide receiver Randall Cobb (shoulder) and linebacker Sam Barrington (ankle) were limited.

He shall return:

Running back Bronson Hill was signed to the practice squad. He replaces fullback/running back Paul Lasike, whose contract was terminated on Tuesday because of worker visa problems.

The 25-year-old Lasike is a New Zealand native who attended BYU and was an All-America rugby player who later made the switch to football. He played in 38 games in three football seasons and made 18 starts.

The Bears signed him to their practice squad Monday after he was waived by the Arizona Cardinals in the final cutdown Sept. 5.

As a foreign-born player, Lasike is required to obtain a new worker visa whenever he changes teams, which he did not do before signing with the Bears, so he was released on Tuesday.

Once the paperwork is completed, the 5-foot-11, 232-pound Lasike is expected to rejoin the Bears' practice squad. Hill (5-10, 215) entered the NFL with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Michigan.

Captain, my captain:

In addition to the five captains voted on by their teammates - Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Antrel Rolle, Pernell McPhee and Robbie Gould - coach John Fox will name a sixth captain week-to-week based on performance.