National Football League

Bears to 'look at options' for safeties

Published Oct. 13, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Chicago strong safety Chris Harris says he does not expect to start against Minnesota on Sunday and free safety Brandon Meriweather likely won't, either.

Coach Lovie Smith says the Bears are ''looking at a lot of different options,'' though he would not say he was benching the safeties in favor of Chris Conte and Major Wright.

Harris says ''whoever's taking the first-team reps'' in practice usually gets the nod, and he did not work with the starters on Thursday. The veteran started Monday at Detroit after missing three games because of a hamstring problem and got beaten by Calvin Johnson on a 73-yard touchdown reception. He says the injury is no longer an issue.

Meriweather, a two-time Pro Bowl safety with New England, has been a disappointment.