Bowman to start on Sunday

Zack Bowman will start at cornerback Sunday ahead of Nate Vasher.

The 6-foot-1, 193-pound Bowman has a size advantage on the 5-foot-10, 187-pound Vasher, and he was playing better in training camp before a hamstring injury sidelined him for three weeks and kept him out of all but the final preseason game. Vasher was victimized by Greg Jennings for the game-winning touchdown catch with 1:11 remaining. Vasher started the season opener, but Bowman played in a rotation with him and Tillman in the first half.

"I thought he played well in the limited time he had the other day," coach Lovie Smith said of Bowman. "We've been bringing him back from an injury. He's done a lot of good things when he's had an opportunity to play."

Although he's played hardly at all, Bowman has been an impact player. Last year as a rookie, in his first and only game, Bowman recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown and intercepted a pass to ensure the 48-41 victory over the Vikings. The pick came after he suffered a season-ending torn biceps. Bowman was removed from the game but then returned after other players were hurt.

As a junior at Nebraska, Bowman was considered a potential first-round draft pick until two knee surgeries stalled his career. The Bears drafted him in the fifth round in 2008.

"I'm excited," Bowman said. "It's a good opportunity. I've been blessed with it, and I'm just going to try to help this team win."

Nick Roach will start in place of Pisa Tinoisamoa at strong-side linebacker after playing all but the first two snaps there against the Packers, following Tinoisamoa's knee injury. Jamar Williams will also play there in relief of Roach.

Turf wars: Soldier Field was resodded early this week after the old turf was trashed by a high school football triple-header the final weekend in August and then by U2 concerts Saturday and Sunday nights.

Defensive end Alex Brown summed up the players' attitude, when he said: "Both teams are playing on it, so it doesn't matter. If we're playing in the middle of the street, as long as both teams are playing in it, it doesn't matter."

But, if he could, Brown would make some changes.

"If I had my way, the Bears would own their own stadium and there would be no concerts or high school games played in it because that's our office," Brown said. "That's where we go to work. If you want to put us in the best situation to play, then take care of the field.

"Yeah, it's terrible, but however bad it is, it's just as bad for each team, so just change your cleats."

Forget about it: Like a cornerback in football or a closer in baseball, quarterback Jay Cutler said he has to forget about last week's disaster and move on.

"Four picks is tough," he said. "That's a tough one to swallow. It's a tough one to go back and watch. But 15 games is a lot of football left. So that one's behind us. It's in the rearview mirror. There's nothing we can do about it now. We've just got to keep working, keep getting better and get ready for the Steelers."

Won't miss you: Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who threw for 363 yards in their season-opening victory over the Titans, has mixed feelings about Brian Urlacher's season-ending wrist injury.

"You never ever like for someone to be hurt," Roethlisberger said. "We hope he has a speedy recovery, but as a quarterback playing against one of the best defensive players in the game, I'm not upset that he's not going to be out there. I'm upset he's hurt, but not upset he's not going to be out there."

Odds and ends: Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and safety Al Afalava (shoulder) were full participants in Thursday's practice. Guard Frank Omiyale (ankle), defensive end Mark Anderson (toe) and safety Danieal Manning (back) were limited. All five are expected to play Sunday. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) and tight end Desmond Clark (rib) did not practice and will not play.

Cornerback Trumaine McBride (knee) was waived/injured, and free-agent cornerback DeAngelo Smith was claimed off waivers from the Browns.