Garay realizes bubble could burst

Antonio Garay was with the Bears throughout the entire Super Bowl run last season and spent the 2005 on their practice squad. But on a team loaded with defensive linemen, he could lose out in the numbers game this year.

"I'm not looking at it that way," said Garay, well aware that cuts to the final 53 are due Sunday but could come as early as this morning. "My whole idea is that I'm on this team right now; I'm going to be on this team. I love this team. This is my family right here."

Garay made the best of extended playing time Thursday night with 3 solo tackles in the first half, third best on the team. But, as in the past, he doesn't have the luxury of comfort when it comes to cut-down day.

"There are guys that fill the roster that are role players," Garay said, "and every year there are a number of role players who are on the cusp. No one really knows who's outside of the bubble and who's on the inside of the bubble. Sometimes you have a good preseason and can still be let go. It really comes down to who the coaches are going to be able to use in a time of need."

And a good caddy: Mike Hass, who's been trying to impress coaches enough to claim the final wide receiver spot, has made a positive impression on veteran wideout Muhsin Muhammad.

"Mike just makes plays," Muhammad said. "He's been consistent, and I think that's what the coaches see in him. I like the way that he's versatile. He can play two or three (receiver) positions, and he catches the ball. He fits in with our group. The guys like him and he's a good kid."

Hass impressed everyone when he got the Bears in the end zone Thursday against Cleveland with a spectacular 9-yard grab on which he outleaped DeMario Minter with a fingertip grab. Hass held the ball despite contact from the Browns' cornerback and managed to barely get both feet in bounds before hitting the ground.

Hass had 3 catches for 58 yards before Thursday night's game.

Injury toll: First-round draft pick Greg Olsen limped off the field with a left knee injury with under two minutes left in the first half. The tight end from Miami caught 3 passes for 7 yards before the injury.

"Right now he has a knee bruise," coach Lovie Smith said, although Olsen reacted angrily on the sideline before going into the locker room for further evaluation. "We're (continuing) to evaluate him, and hopefully he'll be OK."

Third-round linebacker Michael Okwo left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury, safety Brandon McGowan was sidelined with a hamstring injury and linebacker Rod Wilson suffered a head injury.

Sitting it out: The Bears had only three inactives Thursday night; cornerback Charles Tillman (knee), safety Kevin Payne (ribs) and defensive lineman Israel Idonije, who also missed the third game.

Ricky Manning Jr., normally the nickel corner, started in place of Tillman, with rookie, seventh-round pick Trumaine McBride filling in at nickel with the first team. McBride led the Bears with 8 solo tackles.