RB Kevin Jones ready to contribute

BOURBONNAIS - Kevin Jones, the former Detroit Lion, returned to practice Saturday night after starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list following surgery for a torn ACL in his right knee.

Jones was a 1,000-yard rusher as a rookie in 2004 in Motown, but he's not looking to be as good as he was then.

"I feel like I'm going to be better," he said. "I feel I'm on a better team with a better offensive line. So the product will be better that I'll be able to put out."

There is no timetable yet for Jones to play in the preseason, if he does at all.

"We don't have a definite plan yet," coach Lovie Smith said. "We're going to bring him along slowly."

Meeting expectations: Despite modest numbers, rookie running back Matt Forte continued to give indications in Thursday's game that he's exactly what the Bears ordered when they selected him in the second round.

"He's solid," said running backs coach Tim Spencer. "He goes out and works hard. He's a young guy, but he acts like he's been around a little bit. He practices hard, the guys like him, he doesn't say two words. He just goes about his business.

"I like him. I like his demeanor, his attitude, his work ethic. There isn't anything I don't like about him."

Forte rushed seven times for 25 yards and caught 3 passes for 10 yards.

The kid's all right: Veteran safety Mike Brown has been impressed with the play of rookie safety Craig Steltz, the fourth-round pick from LSU.

"He picked up the defense really quickly," Brown said. "He played against quality competition in college, so you could tell that he's not scared of the competition out here.

"One thing about him, he's improved every day, and that's what you want to see out of a young player. I think he's getting comfortable with us as teammates, and he's only going to get better. I think he's comfortable, he knows what he's doing, and you can see that with his play."

Camp tidbits: Guard Terrence Metcalf (knee), linebackers Hunter Hillenmeyer (hip) and Michael Okwo (leg) and safety Kevin Payne (hamstring) did not practice Sunday. . . . Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (general soreness) was dressed but held out of most activities. . . . Linebacker Darrell McClover tweaked his ankle during practice and was taken inside for treatment, allowing rookie Joey LaRocque, a seventh-round pick from Oregon, to get some reps with the second team. . . . Thursday's camp-ending practice at noon will be closed to the public, leaving just three more open practices: today at noon, Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at 6 p.m.