Injury puts Hanie's job in jeopardy

Quarterback Caleb Hanie's backup job behind Jay Cutler is imperiled by the Monday signing of 38-year-old Todd Collins. And the longer it takes Hanie to rehab his sprained right shoulder, the better chance Collins has of grabbing the No. 2 spot.

"It is what it is," Hanie said. "They obviously did what they need to do, or what they feel they need to do. I've just got to keep on plugging away at getting better and all the work that I've done to this point, I just need to keep on building on that. I need to get back from my injury quickly so I can continue the process."

There is no timetable for Hanie's return from the injury he suffered in the preseason opener.

"I'm just trying to get back as soon as I can, just play it by ear every day as to how the shoulder feels," he said. "I hope to be throwing pretty soon, though."

In his only preseason game, Hanie completed 10 of 17 passes for 148 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception for a passer rating of 82.5.

Asked if the top backup job, which Hanie had a firm grip on at the start of training camp, is now open for competition, Smith replied: "Every job is open for competition."

"It's always good to have competition to keep you on your toes," Hanie said. "I'm just going to keep on doing the same things I've been doing."

The Bears resisted the temptation to sign a veteran backup to Cutler, choosing to stick with the inexperienced but athletic Hanie. His injury has caused them to re-evaluate the situation.

"I can't really control what their thoughts are," Hanie said. "They have their reasons for doing things. They try to do what's best for the team."

Big-time ups: Six-foot, 310-pound nose tackle Anthony Adams batted down a pass Saturday night from 6-foot-5 Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell.

"It's the hops, man. It's all calf muscles," Adams said. "I go back to my basketball days when I used to average 14 and 16."

Points or rebounds?

"Both," he said. "That's what they used to call me, double-double."

Injury update: Safety Craig Steltz had been enjoying a successful training camp until he suffered a sprained ankle in the first quarter of the first preseason game. He hasn't practiced since and doesn't have a timetable yet for his return.

"You've got to stay positive," he said. "You just control what you can control and that's coming in every day and taking care of your ankle and staying on top of film."

Wide receiver Earl Bennett hasn't played a snap in the preseason because of a hamstring injury.

"It's tough not (to be) out there competing with those guys," he said. "They're out there making plays, doing good. I hope that I can play at least one of these last two (preseason) games and see where I'm at and evaluate myself and just get ready to go."

Brian Urlacher (knee) sat out Monday, although his injury isn't considered serious. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris rested his sore knee, the result of an illegal chop-block by Raiders running back Rock Cartwright. Linebacker Nick Roach (knee) and guard Lance Louis (ankle) also missed practice, as did safety Josh Bullocks (quad).

Thumbs down: To make room for quarterback Todd Collins, wide receiver Eric Peterman of Northwestern was waived/injured. Peterman suffered a thumb injury Saturday night.