Bears' Harris re-emerges as impact player

Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris started poorly this season with a total of 3 tackles and no sacks in the first seven games.

He was inactive for one of those games and suspended for another because of habitual tardiness.

But Harris has 4 sacks in the last five games, including 2 last week. He also has 18 tackles in the last five games, in addition to 4 tackles for loss and 5 quarterback hurries, and he has started to perform like the player the Bears thought they had when they rewarded him with a four-year extension in the off-season that could be worth up to $40 million.

"For about the last month he's played excellent football," coach Lovie Smith said. "It seems like each week he takes it up another notch. Pass-rush wise, he's disruptive right now. He's always gotten double-teamed, and one of the sacks he had this past game he was double-teamed. Right now, he's playing at a high level, and we need him to continue to play that way."

Harris' 17 sacks since the start of the 2006 season are the most in the league by a defensive tackle.

Select company: After 11 games, rookie running back Matt Forte led the NFL with 270 touches. He ranked third in the NFL with 1,245 yards from scrimmage, which puts him on pace for a 1,810-yard season. Walter Payton is the only player in Bears history with more than 1,800 yards from scrimmage in a season. He did it seven times.

"The consistency that he's been able to do it with is probably the most amazing thing," Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "A lot of rookies have come in and shown flashes and done some good things.

"(But) he's done everything well for an extended period of time throughout the whole season. If you know him it's not surprising. He's very even-keeled, very intelligent, a hard worker. He's got everything necessary, character-wise, to come out and play consistently well."

Forte's 44 receptions were second among NFL running backs after 11 games, just 2 less than the Cowboys' Marion Barber, who added 1 reception Thanksgiving Day. Only six NFL rookies have rushed for 1,000 yards and caught more than 50 passes in a season. Forte is on pace for 1,322 rushing yards and 65 receptions.

Injury update: Fullback Jason McKie injured his quadriceps at Friday's practice inside the Walter Payton Center and is questionable for Sunday night's game.

If McKie cannot play against the Minnesota Vikings, the Bears would probably promote Illinois' 5-foot-10, 245-pound fullback Jason Davis from the practice squad.

Wide receiver Marty Booker (knee) and tight end Desmond Clark (knee) were again limited during Friday's practice and are also questionable for Sunday. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee), safety Mike Brown (calf) and linebacker Jamar Williams (groin) are all probable, although Brown was limited at practice.

Cornerback Nate Vasher has his fractured hand casted almost up to his elbow. He did not practice, is out for Sunday and is not expected to play for the remainder of the regular season, although the Bears haven't confirmed that.

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