Confidence shown in Hanie

BOURBONNAIS - It was Caleb Hanie's performance last preseason that earned the undrafted rookie from Colorado State a spot on the Bears' 53-man roster a year ago.

Hanie completed 29 of 49 passes for 321 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions for a passer rating of 82.1. But, since he was active for only one regular-season game last year and never took a snap, the preseason remains the most crucial time of year for the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder. His evaluation begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, the preseason opener against the Bills in Buffalo.

"It's a huge opportunity just to go out there and solidify a role on the team, play well and see where it goes from there," said Hanie, who is No. 2 on the depth chart behind Jay Cutler after serving as the Bears' No. 3 last year.

It served as a vote of confidence in Hanie that the Bears didn't pursue an experienced veteran backup in the off-season after they signed unrestricted free agent Brett Basanez, who has played in just one NFL game. But Hanie also knows he has to play well enough to sustain that confidence.

"I feel good that they haven't moved in that direction so far," he said. "It shows that they have confidence in who's here now. Obviously, if you go out and show them something different in the preseason - play worse or something like that - then it can change just like that. That's why the preseason games will be so important."

All is well: Tommie Harris returned to practice Tuesday night in front of 9,100 spectators and worked with the first team, flashing some speed and quickness after having missed most of the last several practices.

"Twelve days into practice there's soreness," coach Lovie Smith said. "That's all that is. He's had injuries before; it's no more than that. It's nothing to be alarmed about. He was out there practicing (Tuesday night), and I expect he'll practice (today)."

Linebacker Jamar Williams (shoulder sprain) did not practice.

Tight end Fontel Mines, who was a long shot to make the 53-man roster, is out for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. Mines was active for one game in 2007 but spent the remainder of the past two seasons on the Bears' practice squad.

Early leader: Josh Beekman will start at left guard Saturday night against the Bills ahead of Frank Omiyale, although the Bears hadn't released a depth chart as of late Tuesday night.

Pisa Tinoisamoa, Nick Roach and Jamar Williams have been battling for the starting job at strong-side linebacker, and that will continue.

"We listed all three of those guys in that starting Sam position," coach Lovie Smith said, "and we'll let them play it out."