Now Hester knows: Just keep on running

Last Saturday night a scrambling Jay Cutler launched a pass over the head of Devin Hester, who had slowed up 60 yards downfield. Hester learned this important lesson:

"To just keep running as fast as I can," he said, drawing laughs. "No matter what. If he gets flushed out of the pocket, don't come back, don't do any scrambling drills, just keep going."

Most people unfamiliar with the strength of Cutler's arm figured Hester had outrun the quarterback's range.

"That's what I thought," Hester. "I thought I was too far out. Even the defenders that were guarding me slowed down and started going back toward the line, and then Jay threw it over all our heads. Now I know. Don't stop, just keep going."

Hester has 7 punt-return touchdowns in three seasons, but he has yet to attempt one in the preseason, although that should change Sunday night.

"I feel like I need to get back into the groove," he said, "but it's up to the coaches - it's not up to me."

"This week we're playing the game like the regular season is here," coach Lovie Smith said. "You'll see most of our guys in a role that they will play during the course of the season."

Scoping it out: Injured nose tackle Dusty Dvoracek is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery Friday to determine the severity of the injury he suffered to his right knee Saturday night against the Giants.

The 6-foot-3, 303-pounder has already been diagnosed with a sprained MCL (medial collateral ligament). But team doctors Gordon Nuber and Mark Bowen will determine if Dvoracek also has a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), which would end his season. If his ACL is intact, Dvoracek could play in 2009.

The 2006 third-round draft pick from Oklahoma has played in just 13 games in three seasons because of a variety of injuries. He sat out his entire rookie season with a foot injury, then suffered a tear of his left ACL in the 2007 season opener and missed the remainder of the season. He started the first 12 games last year before finishing on injured reserve for the third straight season, this time with a torn biceps muscle.

"You can't understand why," coach Lovie Smith said. "I don't know the reasons why Dusty has had to deal with injuries. I know each time he has come back stronger."

Second chance: Linebacker Darrell McClover practiced for the first time Wednesday after being signed Tuesday.

Although he was one of the Bears' top special-teams tacklers in 2006 and '08, McClover didn't receive any offers in the off-season as an unrestricted free agent, so he was thrilled to get a call from the Bears.

"You go through the whole off-season and you don't get a call," he said. "You stay at home working out - any call would have been surprising to me. To get it from the Bears, for them to say they wanted me back, I was excited. It's another opportunity."

Still a chance: Cornerback Zack Bowman and safety Danieal Manning continued to progress from their hamstring injuries and were able to take part in some team drills, in addition to individual work. Coach Lovie Smith said there was a possibility both could play Sunday night against the Broncos.

Linebackers Nick Roach (concussion) and Jamar Williams (foot) and defensive end Henry Melton (ankle) did not practice.