The Bears returned to practice after a three-day break on Monday, taking the fields at Halas Hall for the first time, but there still were some noticeable absences.
Receiver Earl Bennett and defensive tackle Henry Melton did not participate as they continue to receiver from their concussions. Bennett and Melton were not on the sidelines watching during the portion of practice open to the media.
“Henry and Earl are getting better,” coach Marc Trestman said. “It’s still day-to-day and we’re keeping our fingers crossed there that it will continue to improve as it has.”
Linebacker D.J. Williams (right calf) continues to miss practice after getting hurt on July 31. Trestman said he hopes Williams can return to practice in 12-14 days.
“[Williams] is improving,” I’m going to meet with him this week to just kind of spend some time with him and see where he is. But I think he feels like he’s getting better. I think we feel he’s getting better. We’re getting closer to the season and his conditioning now becomes an issue. We think that eventually he’ll be back certainly. We just don’t know when. It’s just an improving situation.”
Other players sitting out included: Jonathan Scott (right knee), Patrick Mannelly (ribs), Matt Blanchard (broken left hand), defensive tackle Corvey Irvin (ankle), defensive end Cheta Ozougwu and fullback Harvey Unga (ribs).
