Defensive end Alonzo Spellman was in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday for a second medical opinion on a left shoulder injury that has him questionable for Sunday’s game in Dallas against the Cowboys.
Spellman had a magnetic-resonance-imaging exam on the shoulder after last Sunday’s 31-3 loss to the New England Patriots. The Bears feared a ruptured rotator cuff, but results from the exam showed otherwise. Spellman was excused from practice to have the second consultation with doctors.
“He came in Monday morning and it was sore and stiff,” trainer Tim Bream said. “He’s concerned because it’s his career. It’s bothering him. He’s had night pain while he was sleeping and he feels that it’s not 100 percent, and wanted to get it checked out by another person.”
Carl Reeves took Spellman’s right end spot in two series against New England. Reeves would likely start if Spellman can’t and will get some playing time even if Spellman can play.
Lineup changes: Walt Harris is back as the starting right cornerback this week after James Burton had the job for most of the New England game. Coaches believe that Harris, with more height and pure speed, matches up better against Dallas receivers Michael Irvin and Anthony Miller.
Burton returns to his nickel/third cornerback role with his confidence intact.
“I’m in good spirits,” Burton said. “I know my role. I’m the third cornerback here but in my mind I feel that I’m a starter. I feel that I played well and just have to keep my head up and play hard.”
Anthony Marshall will lose his one-game starting job with the return of strong safety Marty Carter. But Marshall now has an expanded role as an outside linebacker in the Bears’ pass-defense package, replacing Marlon Forbes.
That is some consolation to Marshall, who turned in his best game as a pro with an interception, a forced fumble and 11 tackles. Still, he is not fully satisfied with being slotted as only a strong safety in coaches’ minds.
“I feel that even when I first came here I was playing free (safety) and making the same plays,” Marshall said. “There’s no reason why I couldn’t make the same plays at free or strong.”
Marshall was penciled in to succeed Mark Carrier at free safety. But he needed months after last season to heal from a groin pull, then strained a hamstring at the start of training camp, which landed John Mangum in the starting free-safety spot.
“At the beginning I can probably say they were a little upset because I had a hamstring problem,” Marshall said. “But week in, week out, good hamstring or not, I’m going out and making plays. So I’ll just continue to do what I’m doing.”
Punting student: The Bears have brought in kicking consultant Ray Pelfrey for three days this week to work with Todd Sauerbrun. The Bears punter has improved his net average but the hope is to improve direction and hang time, among other things.
“He’s in to work with me on all aspects of kicking,” Sauerbrun said. “He’s trying to clean me up and see if I can pick up any tips from him.”
Roster moves: The Bears finessed their salary cap by restructuring the contract of left guard Todd Perry, which opened enough space to sign center Casey Wiegman, waived Tuesday by the New York Jets. Wide receiver Marcus Robinson, the Bears’ fourth-round draft choice this year, was placed on injured reserve with a sprained thumb.
On way back: Perry is expected to be in pads for the first time since he tore a hamstring in the first game of the season. Perry has been running and working out in the Halas Hall swimming pool and said his goal is to be ready for the Oct. 5 New Orleans game.
