'Excited' St. Clair will start

Bears offensive right tackle Fred Miller (ankle) missed a third straight day of practice Friday, so John St. Clair will start Sunday opposite New York Giants left end Michael Strahan, although Miller is officially listed as "questionable."

"I'm excited," said St. Clair, an eight-year veteran who last started in Week 5 at left tackle when John Tait was out with a sprained ankle. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's definitely going to be a tough game, but I'm ready to go."

The Giants lead the NFL in sack percentage, and their pass rush is fueled by Strahan, who has 8 sacks, and right end Osi Umenyiora, who has 10.

"The guy on the other side (Umenyiora) is a great player also," St. Clair said, "so we have our work cut out for us. You just (have to focus on) your technique, know what you're supposed to do and concentrate on your job. That's all you can do."

Could be back: Cornerback Nate Vasher practiced Friday for the third straight day and was listed as questionable on the injury report.

Even though he was limited throughout, this is the first full week of practice for Vasher since he partially tore a groin muscle on Sept. 23. This has led to speculation that Vasher may play in a reduced role Sunday, although coach Lovie Smith didn't guarantee the 2005 Pro Bowl pick would be on the field.

"Once we bring him back, we probably wouldn't play him the entire football game," Smith said. "We'll get in the game and see how it goes. I wouldn't say he'll go from no reps to all of the reps."

Vasher said he expects to play, but the decision is up to Bears trainers and coaches.

"I'm still rusty," Vasher said. "I'm just getting back in the groove of things and trying to see what I can do out there."

Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee, probable) sat out Friday's practice after being limited Thursday, but he is expected to play Sunday. Linebacker Lance Briggs (hamstring) and return specialist Devin Hester (foot) were limited at practice and are probable.

War of words: The debate continues to rage between defensive ends Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown over who has had the ugliest return.

Ogunleye staggered forward for 14 yards Sunday to the Broncos' 16-yard line after he picked up a fumble caused by Lance Briggs' helmet-to-ball hit on Mike Bell in the second quarter. Well-meaning defensive teammates immediately got all over Ogunleye for not scoring on the play.

"Yeah, I got a little bit of grief, but it looked better than Alex Brown's last year," Ogunleye said. "He still has the worst return ever."

"No," Brown said. "His is the worst ever. He just didn't look comfortable running the ball."

Brown says he had a good reason for the bumbling, stumbling, 18-yard interception return against the Bills that ended when he fell down.

"It was my fault," Brown said. "My left foot had a size 13 on, and my right one was a size 14. The shoe difference tripped me up. That's what it was.

"I'm not kidding. That's what it was I don't know how I can prove that. If I'm lucky enough to get in that position again, I don't believe I'll fall. I'm going to make sure I have the right shoes."

Worth a shot: While the Bears keep striving to increase Devin Hester's role in the offense as a wide receiver, he was, only half-jokingly, asked about playing running back in the wake of the season-ending ankle injury to featured back Cedric Benson.

"I did it in high school and a little bit in college," Hester said. "I would try. It ain't no promise that I would be successful, but I'm a team player and I would try."

It's not a far-fetched idea, given the Bears' lack of depth at running back and their desire to get the ball in Hester's hands as often as possible.