Vasher returns

Nate Vasher returned to action on Monday night after missing 10 games with a groin injury. He picked off a pass and caused another during the loss to the Vikings. IDP owners who are looking for d-back help should give Vasher some consideration. He played well on Monday night and will be tested when the Bears face the Packers on Sunday.

Miller likely to play

Fred Miller is expected to play on Thursday against the Redskins, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He did not play in Week 13 because of a right knee injury. Miller should help keep Rex Grossman's jersey clean and open some holes for Adrian Peterson.

Hester sick

Devin Hester did not practice on Wednesday because he was ill, according to the Chicago Tribune. He is expected to play on Sunday against the Raiders. The Raiders have stated publicly that they intend to kick the ball to Hester rather than avoid him, so this is a great week to start the Bears defense, assuming you believe what's coming out of the Oakland camp.

Harris hobbled

Tommie Harris did not practice on Wednesday. He is nursing a left knee injury. However, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Harris is expected to start on Sunday against the Vikings. The Bears are already missing defensive tackles Dusty Dvoracek and Darwin Walker, so they need Harris to help slow down the Vikings ground game. IDP owners who normally start Harris should plan on doing so again this week.

Harris active, won't start

Tommie Harris is active for Sunday's game against the Lions. He was limited in practice by a knee injury throughout the week. Although Harris is active, he is not expected to start. He is one of five Bears defensive starters who could sit out.

Archuleta inactive

Adam Archuleta will not play in Sunday's game against the Bears due to a hand injury he suffered last week. He is listed on the team's inactive list. This is surprising news because the plan all week was for Archuleta to play with a cast on his hand. Instead, he joins Lance Briggs, Nate Vasher, and Charles Tillman on the inactive list.

Harris, Briggs, Tillman questionable

Tommie Harris is considered questionable for Sunday's game against Detroit. Harris has a sprained MCL, though he was able to practice in limited fashion Friday, according to the AP. Lance Briggs, who pulled a hamstring last week, and Charles Tillman, who sprained an ankle, are also questionable. They did not practice this week. Obviously you have to use Chicago's D no matter what, but they could have trouble stopping Detroit tomorrow if this trio is out.

Tillman sits

Charles Tillman missed practice again on Thursday with a high ankle sprain. He is expected to miss Weeks 4 and 5, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Bears secondary is in shambles. Tillman and fellow starter Nate Vasher are both out this week and safety Adam Archuleta plans to play with a cast on one of his hands.

Peterson limited

Adrian Peterson was limited during practice due to a calf injury, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He is slated to serve as the primary backup to Cedric Benson during Sunday's game against the Lions. We'll keep close tabs on Peterson throughout the week, but at this point there is nothing indicating that he is too injured to play in Week 4.

Bears: Tillman unlikely to play

Charles Tillman is not expected to play in Sunday's game against the Lions due to an undisclosed injury, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Rookie Trumaine McBride is slated to start in his place. The Bears are expected to be without Tillman and their other starting cornerback Nate Vasher on Sunday. What appeared to be a tough matchup for Jon Kitna and his wide receivers just got a lot softer.

Vasher out

Nate Vasher will not play in Sunday's game against the Lions, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. He is expected to miss at least a month with a partially torn groin muscle. Ricky Manning Jr. will start in place of Vasher on Sunday. Fantasy owners must think twice about benching anyone involved in the Lions passing game this week, as the Bears might also be without their other starting cornerback Charles Tillman.

Vasher one of several nicked-up Bears

Nathan Vasher has an MRI on his groin Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reports. If he can't go Sunday against Detroit, Ricky Manning Jr. will get the call. Vasher is just one of several Chicago defenders dealing with injury; the list also includes (but isn't limited to) DT Tommie Harris (knee) and CB Charles Tillman (ankle).

Archuleta to play with broken hand

Adam Archuleta has a broken right hand but plans to play Sunday at Detroit, an NFL source told the Chicago Tribune. Archuleta was a star performer in his early NFL days, but he's been overrated - and exposed in pass coverage - over the last few seasons. The Bears secondary is better with him in the mix, but this is no longer a true difference-making safety.

Griese named starter

The Bears have a new starting quarterback. Brian Griese will be under center when they face the Lions on Sunday, according to NFL.com. He will replace Rex Grossman, who has thrown one touchdown pass and six interceptions in three games this season. Griese tossed 20 touchdown passes in 11 games for the Buccaneers back in 2004. This move should not surprise anyone. Head coach Lovie Smith passed on an opportunity to defend Grossman after the game and again on Monday. Griese had a solid preseason, but he hasn't appeared in a meaningful game since 2004. Nevertheless, he has some quality tools to work with and he should garner some attention from fantasy owners who need help at the quarterback position.

Smith mum on Grossman's status

Lovie Smith declined to say on Monday whether Rex Grossman will start at quarterback on Sunday against the Lions. "Our evaluation process is going on right now," Smith told the Chicago Tribune. "And if you come out to practice on Wednesday, you'll have a better idea of who will be starting at all positions." There is plenty of buzz regarding a quarterback change, but nothing is official just yet. Fantasy owners who are light on signal callers would be wise to beat the rush by claiming Griese before he is officially named the starter.

MRI scheduled on Harris' knee

Tommie Harris was forced to exit Sunday night's game due to a knee injury. The intial diagnosis was that he sustained a sprained MCL in his left knee, according to the Chicago Tribune. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle will have an MRI taken on Monday.

Olsen practices

Greg Olsen participated fully in practice on Wednesday, according to the Chicago Tribune. He sat out the first two games with a knee injury he suffered during the final preseason tilt. Olsen should make his debut on Sunday night against the Cowboys. We'll keep you updated on his practice habits throughout the week just to be on the safe side.

Olsen plans to play

If Greg Olsen has anything to say about it, he'll make his rookie debut on Sunday against the Cowboys. "The knee is fine now, and I'll play my first game Sunday against Dallas," Olsen told the Chicago Sun-Times. He missed the first two games with a sprained left knee, which he suffered in the first preseason game. The Bears had a lot of plans for Olsen during the preseason. They want to use more two tight end sets to keep him and Desmond Clark on the field together. The Bears coaching staff and players raved about him during training camp, so one has to think that he could make a fantasy impact this season if he simply lives up to their expectations.

Bradley's playing time won't increase

Mark Bradley's request for additional playing time appears to be falling on deaf ears. "Mark's our fifth receiver," head coach Lovie Smith told the Chicago Tribune. "It's hard to talk about where the fifth receiver fits in. No team in the country can talk about where the fifth receiver fits in. Mark's one of our guys who will dress and get some occasional plays." Bradley has yet to catch a pass this season. Well, there you have it. Smith didn't sugarcoat anything for the former second-round pick. Barring an injury to a player higher on the depth chart, it sounds like Bradley won't be a fantasy factor.

Olsen out

Bears tight end Greg Olsen will miss his second straight game Sunday because of the sprained left knee he suffered in the preseason finale. Desmond Clark will get the start against the Chiefs.