Chicago Bears healing up nicely for second half of season

After a week off, a much healthier Bears team returned to the practice field Monday in preparation for Sunday's game against the 3-5 Buccaneers in Tampa.

The 2-6 Bears aren't required to publish an injury report until Wednesday, but John Fox's team was closer to full strength than it's been since Week 1.

That, combined with Sunday losses that dropped the NFC North-leading Vikings to 5-3 and the Packers to 4-4, buoyed Fox's outlook for the final eight games

"We've got a whole half of a season left," the Bears' coach said. "Like the second half of a game, a lot can happen. There's not as big a difference (between teams) sometimes as people on the outside might think. (The NFC North) is there for the taking. It's just a matter of being a little fortunate injury-wise, the way the ball bounces and how we do our job."

On the Thursday before the Bears' last game (against the Vikings) prior to the bye, they listed a dozen players on the injury report. That included eight who didn't practice at all, six of whom were starters.

Monday there were no starters who weren't practicing during the portion of practice open to the media.

Starting guards Kyle Long (arm) and Josh Sitton (ankle) were back. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman (ankle), who has missed the last six games, was back. Wide receiver/punt returner Eddie Royal (toe) was back after missing two games, and fellow wideout Marquess Wilson (fractured left foot, PUP list) was back for the first time since late spring.

"It's a huge boost," Fox said. "If you look at what happened to us in the first half, just at the quarterback position, it's enough to cripple a lot of teams. Getting two Pro Bowl guards back is helpful. The receiver position gets a little deeper, as well as the punt returning."

The run-stuffing, pocket-pushing, 6-foot-4, 320-pound Goldman is literally the biggest addition to the defense. He's still iffy for Sunday, but the 2015 second-round pick believes he's ready.

"He's a young player that was getting better with every outing," Fox said. "It'll be good to have him back if that's the case. It's just getting in football shape."

The entire defensive line would benefit from Goldman's return, as would the linebackers playing behind him who would be freed up by Goldman's ability to absorb blockers.

"Eddie's an awesome dude," said defensive end Akiem Hicks. "He has a great mind for the game, and he's strong. He plays the game really well for a guy so young. The sky's the limit for that guy, and I can't wait for him to get back out there."

Cornerback/nickel back Bryce Callahan (hamstring) was back at practice after missing the Vikings game, the Week 3 loss to the Cowboys, and parts of two others.

The week off also gave those who were playing through injuries a chance to get closer to 100 percent.

That list includes running back Jeremy Langford (ankle), cornerback Tracy Porter (knee) and outside linebacker Pernell McPhee (knee).

Langford played briefly against the Vikings after missing the previous four games. Porter has started every game despite his nagging injury, and McPhee has been back on a limited basis for two games after missing the first six.

After a shaky first game back, McPhee served notice against the Vikings he's ready to return to the disruptive force he was in the first half of last season. His 4 quarterback hits included a sack and forced fumble.

"He's a powerful guy," Fox said. "He's a little bit to deal with. A year ago, you could see those capabilities, and they're coming back now."

If there's a law of averages concerning injuries, the Bears are due some good health down the stretch. Eleven starters missed a total of 37 games in the first half.

"Without the bad luck we had, we'd have no luck," Fox said. "Hopefully that can turn for us moving forward. A lot of it's just being fortunate, so hopefully we're more fortunate in the second half than we were in the first half."

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