Forte not worried about his running style

Even though the Bears have started practicing in pads and doing some controlled hitting, rookie running back Matt Forte says there's no need to worry about him.

His running style is sometimes is characterized as "upright," which can give defenders an easier target to hit. But he doesn't agree with the "upright" description, and at 6-foot-2, there's no way the second-round pick is going to look anything like 5-foot-7 Garrett Wolfe coming through the line of scrimmage.

"I've been running like that since I started playing football," said Forte, who is sharing first-team reps with veteran Adrian Peterson. "I wouldn't call it an upright running style because when I'm running and I see somebody's going to hit me, I'm not going to stand straight up. So I don't know why they say 'upright running style' anyway. I hear it all the time."

Whatever you call it, Forte used that style to rush for 2,127 yards at Tulane last season, and he missed just three games in four years.

"Obviously I'm going to protect myself out here," he said. "I run with my pads low. You make easier cuts that way. That's how you learn how to cut and hit the hole hard."

Back attack: First-round draft pick Chris Williams was nowhere in sight during Friday afternoon's practice in full pads.

The heir apparent at left tackle was still recovering from the back spasms that forced him out of Thursday's practice in the early going.

"We're being cautious with him, but again he's a little tight," coach Lovie Smith said. "I still think it's something that's minor, and it's muscular, but still he's not quite ready to go yet."

Odds and ends: Cornerback Charles Tillman practiced for the first time in camp after missing the first two days for personal reasons with an excused absence, and he was in his usual place with the first-team defense, although Corey Graham spelled him for a few snaps. ... In Devin Hester's absence, defensive back Danieal Manning, Matt Forte and rookie wide receiver Earl Bennett all got some reps as kickoff-returners. ... First-year safety Leonard Peters, who is fighting for a roster spot, picked off a Caleb Hanie pass that was tipped by linebacker Nick Roach. ... Place-kicker Robbie Gould drilled field goals from 53 yards and then 51 at the end of the two-minute drills that concluded practice.

Coming attractions: Today's practice is at 7 p.m. under the lights at ONU's Ward Field, followed by a 3 p.m. Sunday practice and a noon session on Monday.