LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Hunter Hillenmeyer won’t be the only new starter on defense when the Bears host the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers in Sunday's home opener at Soldier Field.

Bears cornerback Zackary Bowman preserved a win over the Vikings last season with a late interception.

Zackary Bowman will replace Nate Vasher at cornerback, while Nick Roach will start but share reps with Jamar Williams at strongside linebacker in place of the injured Pisa Tinoisamoa.

Bowman opened training camp as a starter after leading the Bears in interceptions during OTA workouts. But the 2008 fifth-round pick missed the first three preseason games with a hamstring injury. In his return to action, Bowman intercepted a pass on the first snap of the preseason finale against the Browns.

“Zack Bowman had played as well as anyone throughout the spring,” said coach Lovie Smith. “If he hadn’t gotten hurt, you never know what would have happened. Zack has earned the right to start opposite Charles [Tillman].”

Bowman appeared in only one game as a rookie last year, recovering a muffed punt for a touchdown and recording a late interception that preserved a win over the Vikings at Soldier Field—after he had sustained a biceps injury that would end his season.

The 6-1, 193-pounder is eager to make his first NFL start Sunday against the Steelers, who boast an excellent tandem of wide receivers in Hines Ward and Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes.

“I’m excited,” Bowman said. “It’s a good opportunity. I’ve been blessed with it and I’m just going to go out there and do my best and try to help this team win.”

At strongside linebacker, Roach and Williams will split time in place of Tinoisamoa, who is a week-to-week with a sprained knee he sustained early in Sunday night’s season-opening loss in Green Bay.

Roach registered 38 of his 40 tackles last year while starting the final nine games at strongside linebacker, capped by a career-high eight-tackle performance in the season finale at Houston.

After ranking second on the Bears with 15 special-teams tackles last season, Williams earned an opportunity to compete for playing time on defense by excelling during OTA workouts.

“We talked a lot about Jamar in the offseason, and Nick has started here,” Smith said. “I just think both of them give us something, so we’re going to let both of them play.”