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Carolina return man Ryne Robinson, who has been out since early in training camp with a knee injury, says he's about “80-85 percent” healthy, but isn't likely to play in Sunday's home opener against Chicago.
“If I'm not good enough to be 100percent, then I won't go,” he said.
Robinson practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.
“After today's activities, I'll be ready to go soon,” he said. “I mostly did some cutting and some running, some more movement stuff. Maybe I'll ramp it up (Thursday) and come in feeling great. Maybe they'll tape me up and I'll be able to go. But it'll be up to me and the trainer.”
Running back Jonathan Stewart returned kickoffs in Sunday's season-opening win in San Diego, averaging 21.0 yards on four returns, with a long return of 27. Mark Jones averaged 5.3 yards on three punt returns (his longest was 10 yards).
Notes
Kickoff specialist
Rhys Lloyd, who forced the Chargers into touchbacks on four of his six kicks, has plenty of respect for the Bears'
Devin Hester.
Hester, who returned two kickoffs and four punts for touchdowns last season (the six were an NFL record), isn't afraid to return the ball from anywhere in the end zone.
“Absolutely, that's an issue,” said Lloyd. “We'll stick to what we did in San Diego, but maybe with a bit more directional stuff. … The best-case scenario is to have it down inside the 20. Whether that's high hang times or out of the end zone, we'll work with it.”
As gratifying as Sunday's last-second win was for quarterback
Jake Delhomme, he'd prefer it to be a little easier.
“Ideally for me, it would be to take the ball with six minutes and 45 seconds left and run the clock out,” he said. “(But) these wins, they don't happen often. You need to enjoy them somewhat.”
Safety
Chris Harris is eager to play the Bears, who traded him to Carolina in August of '07 for a fifth-round pick in 2008.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I circled this game on my calendar as soon as I saw it. I wish we could have played them last year. I was a little bitter when (the trade) happened, as I'm sure most people would be.”
Harris led the NFL in forced fumbles last season with eight. “I think I've already proved (the Bears) wrong,” he said.
Tackle
Jeff Otah (knee) said he expects to play Sunday.
A number of players sat out Wednesday, including offensive tackle
Travelle Wharton, who sprained a knee Sunday.
Also out were quarterback Matt Moore (shin), tight end Dante Rosario (foot) and linebacker Na'il Diggs (shoulder). Cornerback Chris Gamble (arm) practiced on a limited basis.
