Bears say they have a backup plan at safety
Bears strong safety Kevin Payne is listed as "doubtful" for Monday night's game and is not expected to play due to an ankle injury that has kept him out of practice all week.
Free safety Al Afalava is also not expected to play because of a knee injury that kept him out of practice until Saturday, when he was limited, so the secondary will have a different look Monday night.
"We'll just have Plan 2 in place if some of those guys can't go," coach Lovie Smith.
As of Saturday, that plan has Craig Steltz starting at strong safety and Josh Bullocks at free safety against the Vikings and quarterback Brett Favre.
Steltz, a fourth-round pick in 2008, has never started an NFL game, was inactive the past four weeks and was used almost exclusively as a special-teams player before that. Bullocks, a five-year veteran who started 49 games the previous four years with the Saints, has started one game this year at strong safety, when Afalava was sidelined with a shoulder injury. He also started in Weeks 13 and 14 when the Bears opened with three safeties.
Danieal Manning, who started Games 2-10 at free safety but has been the nickel back since then, will remain at that spot. Manning also started 27 games at free safety in his first two seasons (2006 and '07).
"I'm in the same position I played last week and the week before," Manning said. "I'll still be in nickel."
Despite the disruption with two new starters in the secondary, Manning believes Steltz and Bullocks will be fine against the league's No. 12 passing team.
"I trust in these guys we have back there," Manning said. "Craig Steltz is a great strong safety. He can come down and fill against the run, and he's very smart. Josh has been around for a while; he played well with New Orleans, helped them get to the (NFC) championship game against us. He's been there, he knows the ropes, and he's played against Brett Favre. I don't think there's a problem with these guys getting the job, it's just all of us doing it together."
Prime time: After eight seasons in the NFL, defensive end Alex Brown says he still gets excited about playing on Monday nights, at least when the Bears play well.
"Everybody's watching the game," he said, "there's nothing like it. You grow up watching Monday Night Football, and to be able to play on Monday Night Football, it's an honor. But we want to play well, not just be out there and be a punching bag. We want to play with confidence and make some plays."
Historically, the Bears have been awful on Monday nights, going 19-33, although they're 11-11 at home and have won three of four under Lovie Smith.
Injury update: Defensive end Gaines Adams (ankle), punter Brad Maynard (groin) and wide receiver Devin Hester (calf) were listed as "questionable," on the injury report. Maynard did not practice Saturday, and the Bears may have to sign a punter to replace him Monday night. Hester and Adams were limited at practice.
Offensive tackle Chris Williams (ankle), running back Adrian Peterson (illness), defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and offensive tackle Orlando Pace (groin) were all full participants and are "probable."