Chicago Bears' Hall gets some time with first team

Because of the injury epidemic that has decimated the cornerback position, fourth-round rookie Deiondre Hall took reps with the first team at Sunday's Halas Hall practice.

Going back to the off-season program, Hall has flashed the ability to compete, and at 6-feet-2 and 201 pounds with 34 3/8-inch arm length, he has the size and especially the reach to compete with the biggest wide receivers.

"He's always been that competitor," said ninth-year veteran cornerback Tracy Porter of his 22-year-old teammate. "Now it's just trying to clean up little technique issues.

"It's not anything terribly wrong that he's doing. He has everything (physically) you need. You've just got to clean up the little things."

Hall's aggressiveness and confidence have helped him make a fairly smooth transition from Northern Iowa, where he played cornerback and safety.

"At that position you have to have a ton of confidence," Porter said. "If you don't, it's like quarterbacks, (opponents) can sense that and you'll have a long night."

Playing alongside Hall with the ones Sunday was another rookie, undrafted Kevin Peterson out of Oklahoma State.

"Even early in camp he didn't get the opportunities that some of the guys did," coach John Fox said of the 5-foot-11, 179-pound Peterson. "But with the injuries that we've had and guys missing practice, he's gotten some looks, and I've liked what I've seen."

Coming along:

Although Kevin White's contributions in the first two games have been minimal (2 catches for 9 yards), fellow wide receiver Alshon Jeffery believes the 2015 first-round pick is making progress after missing his rookie season following shin surgery.

"He's taking coaching well and learning," Jeffery said. "He's progressing right where we need him to be. He listens to the coaches, and he's making plays, and he's having fun."

Because the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Jeffery and the 6-3, 216-pound White are almost the identical size and similar as players, Jeffery's advice is especially helpful to his younger teammate.

"I just told him to play physical because he's big, he's strong and he's fast," said Jeffery, a fifth-year veteran. "(Wide receivers) coach C.J. (Curtis Johnson) reminds him of that all the time. I just told him to go out and have fun, just play physical and just do what he's been doing."

Lengthy list:

Including two on the physically unable to perform list, 22 of 90 players on the roster did not practice Sunday.

Rookie defensive end Jonathan Bullard, who was credited with half a sack in Thursday night's game, was excused for personal reasons, while linebacker Jerrell Freeman and cornerback Tracy Porter were given the day off.

Cornerbacks Kyle Fuller (knee), Bryce Callahan (hamstring), Jacoby Glenn (concussion) and DeVante Bausby (undisclosed) were out, as were wide receivers Deonte Thompson (knee) and Derek Keaton (knee) and running backs Jeremy Langford (foot) and Senorise Perry (hamstring).

Tight ends Tony Moeaki (hamstring) and Ben Braunecker (ankle), safety Deon Bush (concussion protocol), linebackers Leonard Floyd (hamstring), Danny Trevathan (hamstring) and Nick Kwiatkoski (hamstring), guard Kyle Long (shoulder) and defensive end Cornelius Washington (knee, ankle) also did not practice.

Center Hroniss Grasu (knee) is out for the season.

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