LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Exactly seven weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, rookie left tackle Chris Williams returned to the practice field Wednesday, albeit in limited fashion.

Chris Williams, pictured here during the rookie minicamp in April, was selected by the Bears with the 14th pick in the draft.

The first-round draft pick participated in individual and conditioning drills but did not take part in the team portion of the workout.

“It’s extremely important to get back in pads and start working again,” said Williams, the 14th pick in the draft. “I can’t just be healthy and jump right back into playing no matter what. This step was going to be taken at some point, and the sooner the better.”

Williams hadn’t practiced since injuring his back during the Bears’ second training camp practice July 24 in Bourbonnais.

“It was good to get Chris Williams back out on the football field,” said coach Lovie Smith. “He had a chance to practice on a limited basis. It’s the first step to getting back out there full-time, so it was good to just see him in uniform out there.”

Asked if Williams is ahead of schedule in his rehab, Smith said: “I think it’s about when we expected him to start practicing on a limited basis, and I have to put that in there. It’s one step. It’s not like he was out there going full speed in team and all of that. We’re just working him back in. He still has a ways to go.”

While that may be true, Williams was elated to finally put pads on after being forced to watch from the sideline for so long. 

“You feel a little less out of sight, said the 6-6, 312-pounder. “I’m trying to get back in the mix and show I can play. I’ve still got to prove myself, being a rookie. Most of the guys get to do that in the preseason, and it’ll be my turn soon.”

Just how soon is anybody’s guess. “I have no timetable,” Williams said. “I’m just taking it a day at a time, waking up every morning and seeing how it feels.”

On the mend: Devin Hester did not practice Wednesday due to the rib injury that kept him out of last weekend’s overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bears are hopeful that the All-Pro return specialist will be able to practice later this week and play Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“He’s getting better,” Smith said. “It’s hard to tell exactly when he’ll be ready to go. But just looking at the history a little bit of guys who’ve had that injury, normally before long he’ll be back out on the football field. We’re encouraged.

“I know he wants to play in the worst way. He’s doing everything he can to get back out on the football field. Hopefully it’ll be soon.”

Asked by a Chicago reporter if the Eagles would kick to Hester, Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said: “I can’t tell you that. I can’t disclose that to you. [Bears special teams coordinator Dave] Toub will take advantage of me there.”

Off the Mark: After being waived by the Bears Tuesday, wide receiver Mark Bradley became a free agent Wednesday after not being claimed by another NFL team.

Bradley, who caught 38 passes for 583 yards and 4 touchdowns in 34 career games with the Bears, struggled with injuries and route-running in Chicago.

“You’re always disappointed when you have to cut ties with one of the players that you brought into the fold,” Smith said of the 2005 second-round draft pick from Oklahoma.

“Yes, it’s disappointing. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for him here. But sometimes divorce is a good thing and we wish him the best. Hopefully the next stop for him, the next team he’s with, will work out a little bit better.”

Health beat: Defensive end Alex Brown (ankle), defensive tackle Tommie Harris (knee) and cornerback Nate Vasher (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. Linebacker Lance Briggs (foot) was limited, as were middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and safety Mike Brown, who were rested. Wide receiver Marty Booker was excused from practice for personal reasons.

For the Eagles, quarterback Donovan McNabb (chest), running back Brian Westbrook (ankle), tight end L.J. Smith (back), guard Shawn Andrews (back) and running back Tony Hunt (concussion) did not practice; wide receiver Kevin Curtis (hernia) and defensive tackle Dan Klecko (hand) were limited; and defensive end Juqua Parker (knee) and center Jamaal Jackson (quadriceps) practiced without restrictions.