Urlacher remains man of few words

Brian Urlacher, who has become a man of few words and few big plays this season, was in typical form Thursday.

He declined to participate in what had become a weekly news conference but deigned to entertain queries at his locker in his usual curt style.

A sampling:

What do you want to do to regain your old form?

"Play better," Urlacher said.

What will it take to get going in the right direction?

"More consistency."

Are the Bears (3-5) and the Raiders (2-6) in similar situations?

"No."

Why not?

"Different divisions."

But the records are similar, right?

"Sure."

You sure shut us up.

"Yes."

Brendon Ayanbadejo, one of the team's more well-spoken and intelligent players tried to help by asking: How are you going to make yourself a better teammate tonight?

"Eat dinner," Urlacher said, smiling.

What are you going to eat?"

"Food."

With whom?"

"Friends."

Giving up, Ayanbadejo said: "You're good. Thank you."

He then turned to the media and said: "I couldn't get nothing out of the guy."

Injury update: Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee), cornerback Nate Vasher (groin), safety Brandon McGowan (elbow), and linebacker Rod Wilson (neck) did not practice Thursday. Devin Hester returned and went through the entire practice after missing Wednesday's workout with an illness.

Vasher and McGowan won't play Sunday, but coach Lovie Smith expects Harris back, even though he hasn't practiced the past two days.

"Whenever a player doesn't practice it's a concern, but we think he'll be OK," Smith said. "I think he'll be on the practice field (today).

"When you have a little bit of time (off), you take as much time as possible to try to let him get in the best possible shape to make this run. That's where we are with Tommie. There isn't anything serious going on. We expect him to play and play well this week."

Going deep: Even if the Oakland Raiders go through with their threat to kick to Devin Hester, that doesn't mean the Bears' Pro Bowl returner will get his hands on it. Kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler have the leg strength to kick it beyond Hester's reach.

Janikowski leads all kickers with 18 touchbacks, 4 more than his nearest competitor and 16 more than the Bears' Robbie Gould. Lechler leads the league with a 43.9-yard net average and is tied for the NFL lead with a gross average of 50.3 yards.

Battle royal: The 3-5 Bears against the 2-6 Raiders is hardly a marquee matchup, but Bears linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo believes it will be entertaining.

"It's going to be one of those games where it's like watching Friday Night Fights," he said. "It's not two big-name teams out there. Friday Night Fights aren't any big-name fighters, but when you turn it on, you see a slugfest.

"It's exciting, and it's good boxing. This game is going to be one of those games that's going to be a slugfest. It's going to be good football."