No sugarcoating for these Bears, Bennett says

Shockingly, loquacious tight end Martellus Bennett had a short answer when he was asked why the current coaching staff seems to be connecting so well with players.

“When you say good (stuff), people listen,” said Bennett, who leads the Bears with 28 catches and is second with 233 receiving yards, 1 fewer than Marquess Wilson.

Bennett then elaborated on what he considered good (stuff).

“Stuff that makes sense,” Bennett said. “You know when someone is just sugarcoating things. When coaches are direct, they're straight to the point, they tell you what they want to see, and you know how to go out there and perform.

“Like, 'This is what we expect from you, you and you on this play.' Guys just respond to that because you give them clear direction. It's not like a bunch of fluffiness. You don't have to put sprinkles on a cupcake.”

Long road back:

There was a rare Kevin White sighting on the Halas Hall practice field Thursday.

Though the first-round wide receiver cannot yet practice with the team, he was able to jog and catch passes during the portion of practice that reporters are allowed to watch.

The seventh overall draft pick had surgery on Aug. 23 to repair hairline fractures in his left tibia.

White remains on the physically unable to perform list but can begin practicing with the team anytime from Oct. 20-Nov. 10.

Once a player on PUP practices, his team has 21 days to activate him, cut him or move him to injured reserve.

“They are continuing to rehab,” coach John Fox said. “The training staff, they've been doing a lot of indoor work. Now he's progressing to where he can get on the grass a little bit.”

Good riddance:

Quarterback Jay Cutler was asked if he would miss former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who signed with the Miami Dolphins in the off-season and has been fined frequently for late hits and dirty play in the past, including one forearm shot to the back of Cutler's head in 2010.

“I don't think anyone is going to miss playing that guy,” Cutler said, “especially Kyle (Long) or me.”

As a guard in his first two seasons, Long faced Suh twice a year, and he said his competitive side would miss facing Suh.

“When I have kids or grandkids, one day they're going to ask me, 'Who are the guys that I played against?'” Long said. “And Suh will be right there at the top of the list.

“While I understand he's down there at the beach, it'd be nice to see him at Ford Field.”

Injury update:

Linebacker Shea McClellin (knee), safety Antrel Rolle (ankle), defensive lineman Ego Ferguson (knee) and cornerback Terrance Mitchell (hamstring) did not practice.

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), linebacker Pernell McPhee (shoulder), defensive linemen Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle), and Will Sutton (elbow), offensive linemen Jermon Bushrod (shoulder) and Patrick Omameh (ankle) and (wide receiver Josh Bellamy (groin) were limited.

• Follow Bob's Bears and NFL reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.