Briggs, Urlacher cast long shadows

BOURBONNAIS - Pisa Tinoisamoa says his battle with Nick Roach for the starting job at strong-side linebacker isn't the only fight they both face. There's also the challenge of playing on the same unit as Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, who have been selected to a combined 10 Pro Bowls.

"We're always looked at as the other guy," said Tinoisamoa, a six-year starter with the Rams. "Everyone knows Lance; everyone knows 'Lack.' Nobody knows about us, and that's kind of how Nick and I feel. We're not only competing against each other, we're trying to show that we belong with these linebackers and that we can be the best in the league."

Tinoisamoa won the job last training camp in a battle with Roach but gave it back early in the season when two knee injuries resulted in season-ending surgery. Roach sat out Monday's practice with a knee injury but was back Tuesday night, He wound up starting 15 games last year, finishing fourth in tackles with 82 and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles for loss.

Tinoisamoa, who was held out of practice Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon with a minor foot injury, said he's close to being all the way back from the knee injury.

"The knee's not bothering me too much, so I'm just ready to compete and try to win a job here," he said. "It's always been a challenge. The good thing is the challenge, although we're kind of battling to be with Brian and Lance."

Healthy and hurt: Tight end Greg Olsen, wide receiver Johnny Knox and quarterback Caleb Hanie all returned to practice Wednesday after getting a day off Tuesday.

Linebackers Hunter Hillenmeyer (ankle) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (foot) did not practice, nor did wide receivers Earl Bennett (hamstring) and Greg Mathews (shoulder), cornerback Tim Jennings (knee), running backs Kahlil Bell (hamstring) and Harvey Unga (hamstring), tight ends Kellen Davis (back) and Brandon Manumaleuna (knee) and linebacker Brian Iwuh (knee).

Bennett is unlikely to play Saturday night against the Chargers but most of the others are expected to be ready.

Coming and going: Linebacker Kelvin Smith was signed to a one-year contract Wednesday and wide receiver Antonio Robinson was waived/injured.

Smith was drafted by the Dolphins in the seventh round (219th overall) in 2007. The 6-2, 233-pounder out of Syracuse appeared in seven career NFL games for the Dolphins (four in 2007) and Panthers (three in 2009). He also spent time with the New York Giants during the 2009 off-season.