After missing two weeks with a sore left foot, Bears starting right tackle Jordan Mills returned to practice Wednesday, participating in individual drills.
"It felt great to be back," said the second-year pro. "I'm still a part of the team; I just felt even more a part of the team to be out there with my teammates and not on the sideline watching. Hopefully Monday I'll get back in with the team going against the defense."
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| Right tackle Jordan Mills was selected by the Bears in the fifth round of last year's draft. |
"If they say I can go [against the Browns], I'll go," Mills said. "But it all starts out here [in practice]. We have a great defensive line we go against every day. It's a game-tempo anyway. They get after it. So if I don't get to go [in the preseason finale] I'll get my chance out here going against Lamarr [Houston], Jared [Allen], [Stephen] Paea and the other guys."
Mills didn't like missing two weeks of practice, but he tried to remain sharp by taking mental reps.
"Everything they were doing, I was sitting back like I'm the sixth man back there making all the calls," Mills said. "What would I do on this play? What would I do on that play? It was frustrating, but you've got to be patient. I was patient and got a little bit in today."
Mills started all 16 games as a rookie last season, but he exited the season finale against the Packers after the first series with a foot injury. While the same foot has been an issue this summer, he's not worried about it lingering.
"I don't have any fears or anxiety about my foot hurting again," Mills said. "The training staff has done a great job and I'm ready to get back on the field and get back with my teammates and get on this road to winning the NFC Championship and ultimately getting to the Super Bowl."
To be determined: Santonio Holmes practiced for the third straight day Wednesday, but coach Marc Trestman remains uncertain whether the veteran receiver will play in Friday night's preseason game in Seattle.
"I really don't know," Trestman said. "I'd like him to dress. I haven't had a chance to talk to him [about] where he is. As I said yesterday, we want to get him in there as quickly as possible. We also want to respect him and do the right thing.
"We don't want to put him in a position where he can hurt himself or hurt our football team. We'll have that talk. I'll talk to [receivers coach] Mike Groh about it and I'll talk to Santonio about it and see how he feels about getting some playing time on Friday night."
Back in action: Receiver/return specialist Chris Williams is expected to play Friday night after missing last week's game against the Jaguars with a hamstring injury he sustained on a 73-yard touchdown reception in the preseason opener versus the Eagles.
Asked what the Bears need to see from Williams, Trestman said: "We need to see him be productive. He was when he was playing the last time as a receiver. He made some plays and he was productive in practice.
"We want to see that certainly come into play again on Friday night. Hopefully we'll give him an opportunity to get a couple returns and see what he can do with the ball in his hands as well."
Health update: Receiver Marquess Wilson (collarbone), cornerback Kyle Fuller (ankle), nickel back Isaiah Frey (hamstring), guard/tackle Eben Britton (hamstring) and guard/center Brian de la Puente (knee) did not practice Wednesday. Safety Ryan Mundy was excused for personal reasons.
