Wright confident he's part of secondary solution

BOURBONNAIS - Rookie safety Major Wright missed four days of practice last week with a groin injury, but he didn't let that set him back as he competes for a job in a crowded secondary.

"I don't feel like it was lost time," Wright said after Tuesday night's stadium practice at Olivet Nazarene's Ward Field. "I feel like by me staying in the playbook and learning and taking mental reps, I stayed in the game."

That much was obvious Saturday, when Wright picked off fellow rookie Dan LeFevour in the end zone during the 11-on-11 red zone session. Wright also continued to get some snaps with the first team, and he hasn't looked out of place there or in awe of the situation.

"I'm not nervous," said the third-round pick from Florida. "It's just a game of football, and I've been doing it all my life."

Coach Lovie Smith has taken notice of the rookie's ability to make plays against the run and the pass.

"He's made a lot of plays on the ball," Smith said, "but he's been a good tackler, and he's done some of the things we need our safety position to do."

Veteran safety Chris Harris also contributed to a solid defensive showing Tuesday night when he stepped in front of a Jay Cutler sideline pass to Rashied Davis and brought the interception all the way back.

"Our safety play has been good," Smith said, "and that was an area that we felt like we needed to improve."

One for sure: The Bears will be back at Olivet Nazarene University for a 10th training camp next year, but after that the future is hazy.

"We've got a long-standing relationship here with the people of Olivet Nazarene, and it's been very, very good, from the president on down," general manager Jerry Angelo said.

"Right now this is our summer home, and we've been very happy with the accommodations, with the fields and with the hospitality."

After next year the Bears will have to decide whether to remain at ONU or consider other sites, such as Romeoville's Lewis University.

In the past few years several NFL teams have opted to hold training camp at their own practice facility, but that's not for the Bears.

"Right now this works best for us," Angelo said. "It's really been a great relationship. A lot of teams are having their training camps on site. Ours is a little bit different in terms of the design of our facility, of the logistics."

Injury update: Tight end Greg Olsen, wide receiver Johnny Knox and quarterback Caleb Hanie were held out of Tuesday night's practice with unspecified minor issues but are expected back Wednesday.

Linebackers Hunter Hillenmeyer (ankle) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (foot) also were held out, while safeties Danieal Manning and Josh Bullocks, cornerback Zack Bowman and linebacker Nick Roach returned to the practice field.

Wide receivers Earl Bennett (hamstring) and Antonio Robinson (shin), running back Harvey Unga (hamstring), linebacker Brian Iwuh (knee) all remain out.