Taking it down a notch
After a raucous, physical practice in full pads in Bourbonnais on Sunday, Bears coach John Fox toned things down with a virtual “cool-down” in shorts Tuesday at Halas Hall. There were fewer thuds and big plays, but no fists were thrown, either.
The Bears were in effect tapering for back-to-back practices against the Indianapolis Colts — usually an interesting exercise — on Wednesday and Thursday in preparation for their preseason game against the Colts on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Though Kevin White’s stress fracture was a tough blow, the Bears are in pretty good shape towards the end of a relatively physical training camp.
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (strained left calf) is still out. He’ll make the trip to Indy but won’t play in the game. Safety Ryan Mundy (hip) was limited. Tight end Chris Pantale (illness) will not travel to Indy. Running back Daniel Thomas (right knee), who was limited, participated fully Tuesday.
Highlights/lowlights
Tight end Martellus Bennett went down with an apparent injury on one play, but showed no ill effects.
“It happens. He’s fine,” coach John Fox said.
Bennett caught a touchdown pass from Jay Cutler in a red-zone drill soon after he went down, with the offense celebrating enthusiastically.
Not a lot of discernible big plays in the shorts-and-shells practice. Sam Acho intercepted Jimmy Clausen near the goal line and playfully took it to the other end zone.
Sherrick McManis intercepted a Clausen pass intended for Marc Mariani.
