Tank Johnson beat the original prognosis for his torn left quadmuscle by a long ways. Expected to begin the season on the non-football injury list, Johnson was promoted to the active rosterMonday and is on target to be ready for the season opener Sept. 10 atGreen Bay. Johnson tore the quad in March and following surgery itwas said he could miss as many as six months, which would have meantmissing the first six weeks of the regular season, at the minimum.
His return bolsters an area that has been struck by injury withIan Scott (left knee), Michael Haynes (back) and Dusty Dvoracek(right foot) still out.
Johnson was expected to push Scott for the starting job at nosetackle, but now he figures to start the year in the role he playedlast season, as a nickel pass rusher. Johnson had five sacks lastseason, including two in the victory over Baltimore, when he led theline with eight tackles. He doesn't think the long layoff will effecthim too much.
"The defense is easy," he said. "Where you go on any given play isone or two steps. It's not going to be that big of a deal in respectto being sharp.
"Fortunately, I was able to keep my weight [300 pounds] down anddidn't gain a lot. I am really happy about that."
Johnson could play Friday vs. Arizona, but the club might hold himout until the preseason finale Aug. 31 at Cleveland.
PINBALL WIZARD: Chris Harris said he was too jacked up for thegame Friday night and that's why he bounced off the ball carrier afew times, failing to wrap up.
"I was just a little wired up, a little too excited," he said. "Ineed to calm down and get an even keel. I felt I handled [the switchto strong safety in place of Mike Brown] pretty well. I didn't try todo anything too special. I just let the position come to me."
ROSTERING: Linebacker Joe Odom, a sixth-round pick in 2003, wasplaced on waivers. Odom had eight career starts, making 49 tackles,but played only two games last season before going on injured reservewith a sprained ankle.
Backup linebacker Leon Joe had a solid game Friday against SanDiego and is figured to be the fourth linebacker at this point. TheBears will keep Brendon Ayanbadejo because of his value on specialteams and that leaves perhaps one more roster spot. The team has itsgreatest investment in fourth-round pick Jamar Williams, and themoney trail is smart to follow when assessing the approaching cutdowndate.
Defensive end Khari Long was placed on injured reserve with ashoulder injury. Added were linebacker Mike Mendenhall of Temple, whowas brought in for a tryout during rookie minicamp, and fullbackQuadtrine Hill of Miami.
EXTRA POINTS: Cornerback Nathan Vasher remained out with his mid-back injury and is not expected to play Friday. He was injured in thepreseason opener Aug. 11.
"It's coming along but I still won't get out there until I am 100percent," he said. "They just told me to chalk it up as backsoreness, so that's all I can really tell you guys. More or less I'mtaking a precaution. I don't want to get out there until I am 100percent and I'm not in any rush to get back."
Left guard Ruben Brown was held out of practice with a minor groinpull. He's probable for Friday's game. Wide receiver Airese Currie(left knee) returned to practice after having arthroscopic surgery.Coach Lovie Smith said he is looking forward to the return of backupguard Terrence Metcalf, who also had arthroscopic knee surgery.
bbiggs@suntimes.com
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