Top pick Williams says back injury not serious

By the time the Bears started hitting early in their first training-camp practice in shoulder pads Thursday afternoon, first-round offensive tackle Chris Williams already was finished for the day.

Initially, the injury to his back seemed to be cause for concern.

"It was to the point where he couldn't practice," coach Lovie Smith said after the workout. "There is some stiffness. I don't know exactly how much, but he couldn't practice.

"The guys know there's a difference between pain and injury. It seems like his was more of an injury."

Hours later, the 6-foot-6, 312-pound Williams, who is expected to become the starter at left tackle before the end of the preseason, said he doesn't consider the injury serious.

"I wanted to keep practicing," Williams said at dinner. "Had it been a game, we probably could have taken some measures to get me back in.

"But (head athletic trainer) Tim (Bream) felt it was best to be more preventive instead of trying to force something. I'm walking. I can run. It's just a matter of getting this thing worked out."

Williams, who started 33 straight games to finish his career at Vanderbilt, hopes rest and medication will be enough to get him back on the field soon.

"We were just going through some (individual) drills," he said. "I don't know what triggered it. It's never happened before. It's kind of the same (drills) we did in OTAs, so it's strange. I'm hoping I won't have any more problems with it."

Big-time company: Starting cornerback Charles Tillman was excused for a second straight day for personal reasons, giving 2007 fifth-round pick Corey Graham another day of first-team practice reps.

"We've been impressed him," coach Lovie Smith said. "He has good size, good speed, he knows what to do with the ball once he gets it. He seems to show up around the ball each day."

Graham was victimized for a long TD pass in 11-on-11 by Rashied Davis, although the wide receiver appeared to push off while the ball was in the air.

Graham saw most of his action last season on special teams, where he was second on the Bears with 20 tackles. He was behind seventh-round pick Trumaine McBride on the depth chart, although that situation has been reversed.

Graham felt he struggled on the first day of camp but that he played better Thursday. He said being in the huddle with the first team has been a little awe-inspiring.

"It's a little awkward," he said. "I'm just in there not saying anything, just looking around. They do all the talking. You're looking around at all these big-name guys, but it's a good experience to go through."

Looking ahead: Today's practice at 3 p.m. is scheduled to be the first in full pads.

Saturday's practice will be the first of the year at night, beginning at 7 p.m. at ONU's Ward Field, followed by a 3 p.m. Sunday practice.