Hester questionable for Sunday's game

Devin Hester did not practice Friday and was listed as questionable on the injury report, which means he has a 50-50 chance of playing.

Hester said he hopes to play Sunday against Tampa Bay despite torn rib cartilage, but if he can't go, Danieal Manning would handle kickoffs, and either cornerback Nate Vasher or rookie wide receiver Earl Bennett would bring back punts. Vasher was an All-American punt returner at Texas, Manning returned 3 punts and 3 kickoffs for touchdowns at Abilene Christian, and Bennett had a 75-yard punt-return TD in the preseason.

"That's why they're in the NFL," Hester said. "You don't draft guys that don't have play-making ability, and those guys can fill my shoes."

But, as coach Lovie Smith pointed out, there is only one Devin Hester.

"No one, no team, has a Devin Hester except us," Smith said. "But we like our options in case Devin can't go."

Smith said the Bears would weigh the dangers of Hester aggravating his injury while determining with the team's athletic trainers whether or not he will play.

"We won't put anyone who isn't healthy out on the football field," Smith said. "But if he is ready to go, we'll always let our players go. But if they're not, we'll do whatever we can to protect them. It's a long year."

Sack man: Told that he had a sack streak going, defensive end Alex Brown scoffed.

"Oh, man, that's two games," said the seven-year veteran, who had 1 against the Colts and 1 vs. the Panthers.

But Brown also had 1 sack in each of the last two games last season, giving him a career-best four-game streak.

"I've been fortunate," he said. "My teammates do their job, and that makes it easier for me to do mine."

that's what I contribute all of that to.

Brown's career high for sacks came in 2006, when he had 7. He's not ready yet to declare himself a better pass rusher despite the fast start.

"I think that the plays have just been coming to me and I've been able to make them," he said. "In the past, some of those plays I'd just get close. He'd throw the ball, and it'd be a pressure instead of a sack. That's all; I don't think I do much different."

Special someone: With Pro Bowl coverage guy Brendon Ayanbadejo gone to the Baltimore Ravens as an unrestricted free agent, the Bears are looking for someone to replace him.

Linebackers Jamar Williams and Nick Roach and cornerback Corey Graham each have 2 solo tackles on special teams. Defensive back Danieal Manning, another special-teams contributor, says Graham is the man so far.

"The last couple of weeks, it's been Corey Graham," Manning said. "Corey Graham's been ballin'."

Family affair: Nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek and his fellow linemates are looking forward to getting after former teammate Brian Griese, who will be quarterbacking the Bucs on Sunday.

"It's going to be fun," Dvoracek said. "Griese's a great player. He seems almost like an uncle, like Uncle Brian. It's going to be nice to get out there against him. He's very smart, runs the offense well, and he looked really good last week."

Staying together: Tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark spent last season in the same meeting room with John Gilmore, but the No. 3 tight end left for Tampa Bay via free agency, and the move is working out well. He had a 5-yard touchdown catch last week and a career-best 36-yard reception.

"Gilly's going to do well," Olsen said. "Him and Griese have a great connection, so I'm sure they're 'geeked' up to come up here and get back (to) Soldier Field together."

Injuries and personnel: Defensive tackle Tommie Harris practiced and was listed as probable, but rookie safety Craig Steltz did not practice and is doubtful.

Safety Brandon McGowan (fractured ankle) was officially placed on injured reserve and linebacker Joey LaRocque was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.