Harris traded for fifth-round pick
BOURBONNAIS -- With a crowded house at safety, the Bears on Thursday traded Chris Harris to Carolina for a fifth-round draft pick in 2008.
A sixth-round pick out of Louisiana-Monroe in 2005, Harris started 13 games as a rookie and seven last season.
But with Mike Brown's return to health, the trade acquisition of Adam Archuleta, the development of 2006 second-round pick Danieal Manning and third-year backup Brandon McGowan, plus the addition of fifth-round rookie Kevin Payne, Harris was expendable.
"Chris has meant a lot to us while he's been around here," said Bears coach Lovie Smith. "He's played good football for us. We have quite a bit of depth at the safety position, though, so it's a great opportunity for him.
"Carolina has liked him for a while, and at the same time we feel good about our safety situation with the numbers that we have. It's a part of the business, but when you're a good football player, there's always a place for you to play, so we're happy for Chris."
Harris was pulled off the practice field early Thursday afternoon and informed of the trade. Before leaving, he and Smith hugged it out.
"The gist of it is I thanked him for everything he's done for us," Smith said, "and we talked about the next move for him, how exciting that could be for him to have an opportunity to play."
Quick study: In what seems like a daily occurrence, rookie tight end Greg Olsen made a spectacular diving catch on a deep sideline route from quarterback Rex Grossman that was good for 30 yards.
Aside from Devin Hester, Olsen has been the most impressive receiver through the first week of camp. The first-round pick said preparation has helped him make what so far has been a smooth transition to the pro game.
"First off I just try not to make mental mistakes," said the 6-foot-5, 254-pound Miami product. "The more that comes, the more fluid you can play, and the more relaxed you can be and just play the game like you've been playing.
"Until you learn what's going on, it makes it that much more difficult."
Injury update: Defensive end Alex Brown (shoulder strain) didn't practice Thursday, nor did defensive tackle Tommie Harris (general soreness), who Lovie Smith said Wednesday would "for sure" be back.
Wide receivers Devin Hester (leg), defensive end Dan Bazuin (knee) and Muhsin Muhammad (general soreness), running back Garrett Wolfe (hamstring), tight end Fontel Mines (quad), defensive tackle Antonio Garay (hamstring) and fullback Jon Goldsberry (quad) also didn't work out.