Bears re-sign punter Johnson as contingency

With the availability of punter Brad Maynard still in question, last week's replacement, Dirk Johnson, was re-signed to the 53-man roster Friday.

"We just wanted to make sure, be positive that Brad's going to be all right," said Bears special-teams coordinator Dave Toub. "(Maynard) hit some balls today that looked pretty good."

The decision on Sunday's kicker isn't expected to be made until shortly before game time.

"We're going to decide Sunday," Toub said. "We plan on going out and kicking them early just like our normal pregame routine, and if Brad has any problems at all, then we go with Dirk."

Johnson was signed last Saturday and punted the next day in place of Maynard, but Johnson was released the following Wednesday when it appeared Maynard would be sufficiently recovered from his groin injury to play against the Cowboys on Sunday night.

Maynard is listed as probable after going through a full practice Friday. Cornerback Ade Jimoh, who was added to the active roster Wednesday after having been released to make room for Johnson last week, was released again.

Johnson punted four times against the Chiefs in Week 2 for a 49.8-yard gross average and a net of 39.3 before leaving in the fourth quarter with a bruised quad. Because of the uncertainty of the situation, Johnson remained in limbo at an area hotel for two days.

"There was no sense flying all the way back to Denver and coming back," he said. "If Brad can go, he's going to go. That's all I know."

Johnson, a six-year veteran who's been with six organizations and released seven times, downplayed the drama of not knowing his fate until just before game time.

"Whatever you gotta do, you just gotta do it," he said. "It's pretty simple. There are no secrets; there's no certain way you do it. Just show up and do it.

"I just prepare like I'm going to play, and if I don't, I don't. One thing I've learned over time is, if you start thinking about stuff … it's a game of reaction. So you just prepare like you're going to punt. If you do, you're ready. You've just got to make it simple."

Coining a phrase: Defensive coordinator Bob Babich has been so impressed with the play of linebacker Lance Briggs that Babich invented a term for Briggs' performance last week that included a forced fumble, a recovered fumble and a sack.

"If he'd have caught that interception, the one that hit him in the hands, he'd have hit for the cycle," Babich said.

Hit for the cycle?

"I just kind of made that up," Babich said.

Briggs led the Bears with 12 tackles.

"He's playing very well," Babich said. "He's playing fast, he's playing physical."

Just a precaution: Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher (back) was held out of Friday's practice and is listed as probable, but he will play Sunday, according to coach Lovie Smith.

"We just wanted to make sure some of that soreness he's had is gone," Smith said.

Defensive end Alex Brown and center Olin Kreutz, who are probable with ankle injuries, both practiced Friday.

Musical chairs: Wide receiver David Ball was re-signed to the practice squad, and safety Josh Gattis was released. Ball spent the preseason with the Bears and the first two weeks of the regular season on their practice squad but was released Wednesday.