Versatile Peterson returns to practice

Running back Adrian Peterson returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday for the first time since spraining his knee Oct. 4 on the opening kickoff in a win over the Detroit Lions.

“It was good to see Adrian Peterson back out on the football field,” said coach Lovie Smith. “He does quite a bit for us, so it was good to see him back out there.”

Before missing the last two games with the injury, Peterson had rushed for 28 yards on five carries, caught two passes for 11 yards and registered four special-teams tackles.

In other injury news, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye (ankle) and defensive tackle Matt Toeaina (calf) did not practice; and linebacker Lance Briggs (shoulder), defensive lineman Israel Idonije (knee) and safety Danieal Manning (foot) were limited.

Sixteen Cleveland Browns players were listed on the injury report in advance of Sunday’s game at Soldier Field. Tight end Robert Royal (hamstring/finger) and linebacker David Bowens (not injury related) did not practice.

Defensive linemen Kenyon Coleman (groin), Shaun Rogers (foot) and Robaire Smith (shoulder), kicker Phil Dawson (calf), offensive lineman Rex Hadnot (knee), tight end Steve Heiden (knee), defensive back Brandon McDonald (shoulder), fullback Lawrence Vickers (shoulder) and defensive back Eric Wright (shoulder) were limited.

Quarterback Derek Anderson (hip), running back Jamal Lewis (wrist), offensive lineman Alex Mack (shoulder), defensive lineman C.J. Mosley (back) and punter Dave Zastudil (knee) practiced without restrictions.

Harris returns to practice field without limitations

After being held out of last weekend’s loss in Cincinnati, defensive tackle Tommie Harris practiced without restrictions Wednesday in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Browns.

“This is the first Wednesday he’s practiced in a while,” said coach Lovie Smith. “I thought he looked pretty good doing everything. As much as anything, it’s about practicing and getting better. The only way you can get better really is to practice, and it was good to see Tommie back on the practice field.”

Harris has registered just nine tackles and no sacks in five games this season. After having a week off to rest his sore knee, the Bears are hoping that the six-year veteran reverts to his Pro Bowl form.

“Tommie is a good football player when he’s ready to go,” Smith said. “He’s motivated, just like all of our players are motivated. We want to get back on the winning track. We need all of our guys playing their best football. Tommie realizes that. I know it’s hard for him to sit on the sidelines and not play. But he’s back on the field now and he’ll line up this Sunday.”

While Harris has periodically been held out of practice this season, Smith stressed that the defensive tackle wants to be on the field working with his teammates.

“It’s not like I’ve had a problem with Tommie practicing,” Smith said. “Physically, we’ve chosen to keep him out to try to let him get in a little bit better position to play on Sunday. Giving him the week off last week, we feel like we’re ahead of the eight-ball a little bit, but it’s not like he’s [angry] about practicing. He wants to practice.”

Cutler, Bears look to rebound like they've done in past

Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler and the Bears hope to continue their pattern of rebounding from lopsided losses Sunday when they face the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field.

Cutler helped lead the Broncos to victories over the Steelers and Chiefs in 2007 immediately following defeats that were even more one-sided than the Bears’ 45-10 debacle last Sunday in Cincinnati. Those Denver losses two years ago came by scores of 41-3 to the Chargers and 44-7 to the Lions.

“I think it humbles you a little bit,” Cutler said Wednesday. “It brings you back down and you realize that you can’t take any week for granted. Anybody in the NFL can beat you at any time. It’s a long season, though. We’ve got a lot of games ahead of us.”

The Bears have also shown resiliency. Since 2006, they’re 4-1 in games immediately following a loss of more than 14 points. That includes 2-0 last year when they rebounded from blowout defeats to the Packers and Vikings with convincing wins over the Rams and Jaguars.

Cutler said that on Monday he studied tape of the Bears’ loss to Cincinnati with his teammates and again with offensive coordinator Ron Turner. But the quarterback isn’t dwelling on the defeat.

“There were things that we can take away from it,” Cutler said. “[But] we can’t get caught up in it. I’m not going to get caught up with it. I don’t think anybody in that locker room is going to get caught up with  it. It’s one game. It was an ugly loss for us, but those things happen.

“Sometimes you go into a stadium and things just don’t go your way. You get down, and it’s one of those things. We’re moving on. We’ve got the Cleveland Browns, and that’s who we’re concentrating on.”

Knox named NFC special teams player of month

Bears rookie Johnny Knox has been named the NFC special teams player of the month for October.

In three games against the Lions, Falcons and Bengals, Knox returned 12 kickoffs for 347 yards and 1 touchdown, a 28.9-yard average. His 102-yard TD versus Detroit Oct. 4 at Soldier Field was the second longest in Bears history, trailing only Gale Sayers’ 103-yard return on Sept. 17, 1967 at Pittsburgh.

“It’s an honor and a blessing, but we all know that’s a team award," Knox said. "So that’s an award that goes to not only me but also the team."

Knox ranks third in the NFL with a 29.0-yard average on 18 kickoff returns. The fifth-round draft pick from Abilene Christian is one of just four NFL players with multiple kickoff returns of at least 50 yards. Knox has helped the Bears rank second in the league with a 27.4-yard kickoff return average.