Dec. 02--The Bears offense is preparing for Thursday night's game against the Cowboys with an eye on a defender they know well, three-technique tackle Henry Melton.
Melton, who made the Pro Bowl as a Bear in 2012, leads the Cowboys with five sacks despite starting only three games in his first season in Dallas.
"Henry's playing well," Bears quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He's difficult to handle. He's very shifty."
Melton, whom the Bears tagged as their franchise player in 2013, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in Week 3 and missed the rest of last season. The Cowboys signed him to an incentive-laden, one-year contract that is worth up to $5 million in 2014 and includes a three-year team option due in March.
Melton has played in all 12 games this season, mostly as a reserve in an eight-man defensive line rotation that has captured the Bears' attention.
"They play him in spots," Bears coach Marc Trestman said. "He's doing a lot of the things he did early last year before he got hurt. He's running to the football. He's playing hard. He certainly loves to rush the passer and use his quickness to do that."
Melton is scheduled to speak to Chicago media via teleconference Tuesday.
Big bro: Cutler smiled Monday when a reporter mentioned he has become like a big brother to second-year right guard Kyle Long.
How did that happen?
"I don't know. Sometimes you want to pass him off on somebody else," Cutler cracked. "He's a heck of a guy. I think all the guys in the locker room enjoy being around him, enjoy having him in the huddle -- and sometimes I even let him come over to the house."
Cutler acknowledged that Long has consulted him about game-day attire, but he became bashful when asked whether he has gone shopping with Long.
"I better not say never," Cutler said with a laugh. "I introduced him to my suit guy, so I've been with him whenever he's bought some suits from time to time. I don't know, is that bad? C'mon, don't judge me."
Injury report: Safety Chris Conte missed practice for a second consecutive day, still dealing with the eye injury he suffered during the first quarter of Thursday's 34-17 loss to the Lions. Conte was the only starter to sit out.
"We're still trying to get some clarity with that as we move forward," Trestman said.
Tight end Martellus Bennett (foot), receiver Alshon Jeffery (hamstring), cornerback Tim Jennings (groin) and defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (knee) were limited.
Among non-starters, defensive end Cornelius Washington (chest) and receiver Chris Williams (hamstring) sat out, while defensive end Trevor Scott (knee) and linebacker Darryl Sharpton (hamstring) were limited.
Tribune reporter Dan Wiederer contributed.
