Bears gearing up to face Gerhart

Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson tore his ACL last weekend against the Redskins. But facing replacement Toby Gerhart in Sunday’s season finale isn’t going to be a walk in the park for the Bears defense.

Gerhart has rushed for at least 90 yards in three of Minnesota’s last four games, including a career-high 109 yards on just 11 carries—highlighted by a 67-yard scamper—last Sunday in Washington.

“The guy runs really hard and he is a little bit faster than people think,” said linebacker Lance Briggs. “He puts his head down and he makes defenders pay. I like the way he runs, I really do. He is a tough-nosed running back.

“He can do a lot for the offense and I don’t think they miss much of a step putting him in and not having Adrian Peterson. Even when Adrian Peterson went out last week, it seemed like their offense picked it up even more. It’s going to be another hard-nosed game for us.”

Selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 2011 draft, Gerhart produced the best rushing performance of his rookie season against the Bears when he rushed for 77 yards on 16 carries last Dec. 20.

“Toby did a heck of a job last year against us,” said coach Lovie Smith. “He’s a big running back and we really respect him.”

Urlacher remains out with sore knee

Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher missed practice Thursday for a second straight day with knee soreness, but the Bears remain hopeful that he’ll be able to play in Sunday’s season finale in Minnesota.

“I don’t think it’s that bad,” said coach Lovie Smith. “We need everybody and of course Brian realizes that. So I assume he’ll be ready to go. Hopefully tomorrow he’ll be able to get out there. One more practice for our season. We need everybody out there practicing.”

Running back Marion Barber (calf) and tight end Kellen Davis (ill) also sat out practice, while linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle) was limited.

For the Vikings, quarterback Christian Ponder (concussion) practiced without restrictions for the second straight day and is expected to start against the Bears.

Briggs happy Tillman honored

Linebacker Lance Briggs is thrilled that longtime Bears teammate Charles Tillman has been voted to his first career Pro Bowl this season.

“I think that Charles should have been in years before, but the fact that he’s in it now, I’m just proud of him, proud of what he has able to accomplish,” Briggs said.

Tillman is third on the Bears with 107 tackles, tops the defense with 11 pass breakups, is tied for the team lead with three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, and also has two interceptions and one sack.

Possessing a knack for stripping the ball from opponents, Tillman has 27 forced fumbles since entering the NFL in 2003, most by a defensive back and tied for seventh overall.

“When guys talk about the Bears and they talk about players and they talk about [Tillman], they’re just amazed at how he’s able to get the ball out,” Briggs said. “Guys have the ball tucked and he’s the best in the game at it. He’ll always be remembered [for being] able to do that, but he’s also a great corner. He’s an all-around just one heck of a football player, so it’s a joy.”

Briggs joked that Tillman’s body language has been easy to read since he garnered his first Pro Bowl invitation.

“I don’t know if you can tell, but Peanut definitely is going to the Pro Bowl,” Briggs said. “He’s got a whole different little pep in his step, he’s talking to people a little bit [differently], with a little swagger on his shoulder. But I’m excited for him.”

Urlacher, Briggs a dynamic duo

Practically joined at the hip on and off the field for nearly a decade, Bears linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs have helped each other become perennial NFL all-stars. This season Urlacher was voted to the Pro Bowl for the eighth time in his career, while Briggs was selected for the seventh straight year.

“He’s my best friend on the team. I know there’s no doubt about that,” Urlacher said Thursday. “We have a good time. I think that’s the No. 1 thing. We have fun on the field, we have fun off the field. We have fun all the time. But when it’s time to play football, we play football.

“We’re lucky, I guess. We’ve both for the most part been pretty healthy throughout our careers, throughout our time together here, so hopefully we can keep it going for a few more years.”

Briggs tops the Bears with 140 tackles, is tied for the team lead with eight tackles-for-loss, and has also recorded one interception and two forced fumbles. Urlacher is second with 125 tackles and is tied for the Bears lead with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

“Between me and Brian in our linebacker room, that’s 15 [Pro Bowls],” Briggs said. “I think we can compete with any pair of linebackers in the league. But it’s also a big credit to Bob Babich and Lovie Smith; those guys that help us, guide us, help stay on us. No matter how many people are there to pat us on the back, those guys are in there to be a jerk to us and tell us what we are doing wrong.”

Briggs is the fourth Bears linebacker to be selected to seven straight Pro Bowls, joining Hall of Famers Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary and Bill George.

“It’s special,” Briggs said. “When you talk about Chicago Bears legacy, those names always come up. You mention the greats—Butkus, Singletary, Urlacher—that is something that will never be removed. Who knows how long I’ll play or anybody else on the team will play football, but the one thing that will always be here are those guys that were all stars and have played well. The linebacker legacy in Chicago, I think I’ll be a part of it.”