Bears counting on DB Chris Harris
Safety Chris Harris (hamstring), tight end Matt Spaeth (calf), guard-center Chris Spencer (hand) and cornerback Charles Tillman (hip) were all limited in Friday’s practice, but all four could be healthy enough to face the Lions by Monday night.
Tillman is a virtual lock — he’s missed a total of just six games in the previous six seasons. But Chris Harris’ return could also be a key considering the presence of the Lions’ 6-foot-5, 236-pound Calvin Johnson, who leads the NFL with 8 touchdowns.
The 6-foot-2 Tillman will have primary responsibility for “Megatron,” but Johnson demands frequent double-team attention, especially in the red zone — and that’s where Harris’ physical style is irreplaceable.
“We have to be physical with him,” the 6-foot, 211-pound Harris said. “That’s one thing you have to do. He’s a big body, and you can’t allow him just free releases. He’s got very good speed, too, and we want to try to throw off the timing routes.”
Coach Lovie Smith is confident Harris will be on the field in Detroit.
“He had a good day (Friday),” Smith said. “We think he’s good to go. We need him. We’ve missed him back there. We’ll need all of our horses this week.
“We assume he’ll be able to go Monday.”
Wide receiver Earl Bennett (chest) and offensive tackle Gabe Carimi (knee) remain sidelined and will not play Monday. They were joined Friday by defensive end Corey Wootton, who suffered a hand injury during Thursday’s practice.
Just checking:Julius Peppers sacked Matthew Stafford in the season opener last year, causing the Lions quarterback to suffer a Grade-2 separation of his right shoulder and forcing him to miss five games. But afterward Peppers sought out Stafford to check on his injury.#147;It#146;s a part of the game,#148; Peppers said. #147;If something happens, if someone gets injured from my doing, yeah, I want to make sure they#146;re all right.#148;Motor City madness:No one in the Bears#146; locker room was happier to see the Tigers defeat the Yankees Thursday night and advance to the ALCS than Detroit native Anthony Adams.#147;I wasn#146;t worried, but I was concerned,#148; Adams said of the 3-2 nail-biter. #147;It was a good game; I#146;m happy for my Tigers.#148;The success of the Tigers and the 4-0 Lions have given Motown residents something positive amid the area#146;s declining property values, lack of jobs and high crime rate.#147;It#146;s been a long time coming,#148; Adams said. #147;It#146;s a city that#146;s struggling, and they need some uplift, and they#146;re getting it from the sports teams right now.#148;Ÿ Follow Bob#146;s Bears reports via Twitter @Bob LeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.