LAKE FOREST, Ill. – While Kyle Orton hopes to start Sunday’s home game against the undefeated Tennessee Titans, backup Rex Grossman took all the first-team reps in practice Thursday for the second straight day.

“I’m not sure exactly what’s going to happen,” said Grossman, who owns a 19-11 career record as a starter. “But I’m preparing like I’m playing and going out there excited for the opportunity.”

Rex Grossman looks for a receiver during last Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions.

After Orton was knocked out of last Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions late in the first half with a sprained ankle, Grossman helped rally the Bears to a 27-23 victory. The sixth-year pro rifled a 6-yard touchdown pass to Rashied Davis and scored the go-ahead TD on a 1-yard plunge with 5:36 left in the game.

Looking rusty at times in his first extended action of the season, Grossman completed 9 of 19 passes for 58 yards with 1 TD, 1 interception and a 49.9 passer rating. He entered the game not having taken any first-team reps during the week in practice.

“There were a few fundamental things that I need to clean up, but once you get a full week of practice you really zero in on how you’re going to attack them and actually get to practice that,” Grossman said. “That’ll help, but there are a lot of things I need to improve.

“It all comes down to making plays when those plays are there. I have to capitalize on some of the opportunities that I missed.”

If Grossman does play Sunday, the offense shouldn’t have to make that much of an adjustment. He started every game during the 2006 Super Bowl season, played in eight contests last year and split first-team reps in training camp before losing the quarterback competition to Orton.

“We feel great about Rex,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “I think every guy in that locker room does. We know what he can do. We’ve won with him in the past. He’s been here. 

"He had a great offseason, great summer camp, competed in a close battle and has been preparing very well through the eight games that he didn’t start. We feel fortunate. We have two quarterbacks we can win with.”

Grossman’s teammates echo Turner’s sentiments.

“Rex is a big luxury to have,” said center Olin Kreutz. “He’s a good quarterback. We’ve seen that around here a lot. In the NFL you need two good quarterbacks, and we’ve got two of them.”

“He led us to a Super Bowl,” added fullback Jason McKie. “He’s been in this situation before. He’s been our leader before. He’s still a leader on this team. Even though we turned to Kyle at the start of the season, we’ve got all the faith in [Grossman].”

Regardless of who’s under center, the Bears will face difficult tests the next two Sundays against the Titans and Packers, two teams that share the NFL lead with 13 interceptions. Tennessee (8-0) will arrive this weekend as the league’s only unbeaten club, allowing a NFL-best 12.9 points per game.

“They’re big and they’re fast and they’ve gotten pressure with their front four, which allows them to play seven guys in pass coverage,” Grossman said. “They’re a good, talented team, so we have to be on our ‘A’ game.”

Fortunate that his ankle injury wasn't as serious as initially thought, Orton on Wednesday cautioned against ruling him out for Sunday's game. The Titans aren’t sure who will start at quarterback for the Bears, but Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher insists that the uncertainty will not affect his team’s preparation.

“Our approach does not change,” Fisher said. “Watching Kyle, what a tremendous start to the season he’s had; just great throws and just doing a great job with the offense. Rex has been there, done that. He finished up [last week’s] game nicely and gave them a chance to win.”

“He started in the Super Bowl; how many quarterbacks can say that?” added Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. “He’s played well. He’s shown flashes just like he did at Florida. It’s no different for us.”

Grossman hasn’t opened a game since last Dec. 6 in Washington when he sustained a knee injury that opened the door for Orton to start the final three contests of the season.

“If I get a chance to play, I’m going to have fun,” Grossman said. “It’s what I do. It’s football, and I’m going to go out there and have fun. It should be a great day.

“I definitely miss playing, miss being out there, so I’ll be able to enjoy it a little more, maybe not take it for granted. But for the most part I just want to go out there and have a good game and lead our team to a victory.”