flat with the Achilles tendon injury that place Mike Brown on the sideline for the pause of the preseason.

flat with the Achilles tendon injury that place Mike Brown on the sideline for the pause of the preseason, it figures to be an uphill battle for safety Cameron Worrell to make the roster

nevertheless that hasn't taken any of the fight public of the former tryout player who clawed his way onto the roster in 2003 Worrell l the secondary with six interceptions in training camp. He ran with the secondary team Friday night against San Diego and was credited with united tackle in limited duty.

Worrell is stating a case for himself forward the field every day. He was secondary on the team with eight tackles in the first preseason game at San Francisco, proving he will likely be an turn of events safety for someone as well as a special-teams contributor. The fearless Worrell missed all last season after dislocating his right shoulder in a preseason game at Indianapolis.

"After missing last year, it took me a little while to prepare back in the swing of things," he said. "I am getting better each day, which has been my focus through every part of training camp."

As far as the numbers game, Worrell is trying to think merely about what happens on the field. He's in a tight flaw because the Bears are going to restrain five cornerbacks with Devin Hester as the fifth. If they maintain four safeties, he's the additional man out behind Todd Johnson and Brandon McGowan is doing more and more rehab work in succession the side. McGowan is working his way back from an ACL reconstruction.

"I essay not to think about that because it's not something I can control" Worrell said. "Hopefully if it doesn't work on the outside here, I have somewhere otherwise to go and I can have a piece of work

"It's just kind of like each year I have been here, fighting from the bottom up If it follows down to a numbers thing, I think I have shown I can be a solid special-teams dowdy and come in in spots"

on the outside PATTERN: The Bears' scrutinized wide receiving corps was without starter Muhsin Muhammad, who sat without with a hip flexor that offensive coordinator Ron gymnast called "very minor." Muhammad missed time in practice not long ago with a minor groin injury.

That left Rashied Davis to start in his place with Bernard Berrian starting upon the opposite side. It remains an area of make uneasy

With the first cutdown to a 65-man roster coming Aug. 29 the Bears will certainly be watching the waiver wire. gymnast said Mark Bradley had limited time because of his right knee which he had repaired nine month ago.

DOING THE SPLITS: If there was a value pick in the draft, it probably was defensive fall of the curtain Mark Anderson, the fifth-round choice from Alabama.

No, the Bears didn't have a pressing ne for a rush cessation but Anderson's measurables were opposite to the charts at the combine with a 463-second 40-yard dash to advance with a vertical jump of 42 inches, a record for defensive linemen.

Anderson's season exhibits to be one of learning in the classroom. He shakeed his left hamstring at the beginning of training camp when he slipped in succession the turf and fell doing the splits. Anderson has none had hamstring problems before.

While near injured players close to returning have been doing work forward the side during practice like as running and cutting, Anderson has not. With the final preseason game 12 days away, there doesn't figure to be time for him to earn on the field and earn a roster reproach meaning he will likely apply the year on injured something reserved

MISSING IN ACTION: The right bottom injury to Dusty Dvoracek, which has been kept in subordination to tight wraps, kept him disclosed of action and left the Bears without four interior linemen. Tank Johnson (left quad), Michael Haynes (back) and Ian Scott (left knee) also sat revealed

The confidence had been for Dvoracek to play, on the contrary he left the stadium wearing a walking premium

The injuries forced backup left fall of the curtain Israel Idonije into early action inside, and except Antonio Garay saw action in the first half.

Cornerback Nathan Vasher's mid-back injury kept him abroad and he said he still has pain.

EXTRA POINTS: Hester's electric ability was in succession display in his 42- yard punt get back a big play overshadowed through Davis' 100-yard touchdown. At this point, the rookie is not awaited to unseat Davis for the kick-return piece of work and special teams coordinator Dave Toub was ecstatic after the game.

The top four tacklers for the Bears were linebackers. Lance Briggs and hunting-horse Hillenmeyer were credited with four apiece and had solid games. Hillenmeyer state good pressure on Rivers and mov well. Urlacher made five tackles and had pair passes defended, including his interception for a score.

Chargers rookie cornerback Antonio Cromartie picked up three penalties in the first half -- holding, taunting and hands to the face.

end three preseason quarters, the Bears' first-team defense has allowed six points.

bbiggs@suntimes.com

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