Dec. 26--When the Bears have the ball Sunday against the Buccaneers, the passing game matchup will lack the intrigue it would have had if both teams were healthier.
In addition to the Bears listing No. 1 receiver Alshon Jeffery as doubtful because of his recurring hamstring issue, Buccaneers safety Chris Conte is doubtful because of the left knee injury he suffered Dec. 17.
Bears fans surely will remember Conte, for better or worse. He roamed the Bears secondary from 2011 to '14, making his share of plays and missing others, before reuniting with coach Lovie Smith in the offseason.
Conte has had a strong season in Smith's "Tampa-2" defense, the system into which the Bears drafted him 93rd overall in 2011. In Smith's second season in charge of the Bucs, Conte has two interceptions, two forced fumbles and is third on the team with 78 tackles (58 solo) by their coaches' count.
"We moved him into the starting lineup early on and love him being part of our team right now," Smith said Wednesday on a teleconference with Chicago media. "He has ... range, skill, quickness. Just a good addition to what we're trying to do here."
Conte initially was hampered by a hamstring injury he suffered on the first day of training camp, but he cracked the starting lineup in Week 2 and has been a stabilizing force in a secondary that could start its eighth combination Sunday.
Although Conte is doubtful, it wouldn't be surprising if he finds a way to play because he has had the Bears game on his mind since he left Chicago. And if he does manage to get on the field, the Bears know they must be mindful of his positioning.
"His athleticism is underrated," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "He's a terrific athlete. He knows their system very well from being with Lovie here. He's just going to be reacting."
rcampbell@tribpub.com
