Finally James Allen gets some time off.
Now that Allen is firmly entrenched as the No. 1 running back, he is being taken off special teams, where he has been a member of the kickoff- and punt-coverage units.
When Allen handled all those roles Sunday in Green Bay, it is believed he was the only NFL starting running back who was also covering kicks.
Allen, who was hurt last year covering a kickoff in Minnesota, also is the only back the Bears have who is ready to play every down, including short yardage and goal line. Those areas were the bailiwick of Curtis Enis, whose status remains unclear after a shoulder injury suffered in Green Bay.
“I would say that James is the No. 1 guy and Marlon [Barnes] could spell him,” Bears coach Dick Jauron said. “Marlon will see action and we would like to get him the ball. We like the way he runs. We haven’t really looked at him as purely a short-yardage back. We don’t think he fits that role. We think both of them will be able to fit in this game.”
With Enis sidelined for at least this game and possibly the next, the Bears worked out two fullbacks Wednesday: Derrick Harris, a sixth-round pick in 1996 for the St. Louis Rams and who started six games in 1996 and 14 in 1998; and Kevin McLeod, a sixth-round pick in 1998 by Jacksonville who played seven games last year for Tampa Bay, including the NFC championship game. Both are listed at 6 feet, 252 pounds.
More Top Picks Best Ergonomic Mice For Carpal Tunnel
An MRI of Enis’ shoulder Monday came back negative but no final determination will be made on the severity of his injury for 7-10 days.
“They think it was the nerve, so they have him on medication,” Jauron said.
The outcast: Eddie Kennison was one of the few bright spots last season in New Orleans, where the Saints struggled to a 3-13 record under then coach Mike Ditka. He started all 16 of the Saints’ games, caught a career-high 61 passes for 835 yards and even returned 35 punts for 258 more yards. But six weeks after Ditka was fired, Kennison was shipped to the Bears for a mere fifth-round draft choice.
“It surprised me a little bit, but it doesn’t bother me,” he said in anticipation of the Saints’ Sunday visit to Soldier Field. “Everyone Coach Ditka brought in, they shipped out. The only person still there is [running back] Ricky [Williams].”
Position battle: For the second time this season, a starting linebacker position may change hands. Sean Harris, who has started the past three games and recorded 17 tackles since Rosevelt Colvin injured his knee Sept. 10 against Tampa Bay, has given himself a chance at winning the No. 1 spot at strong-side linebacker that Colvin won from Brian Urlacher.
Colvin is not on this week’s injury list but has not come back with enough to beat out Harris.
“If Rosie shows the suddenness he was showing before the injury, then that would happen,” Jauron said. “But we’ll have to see in practice through Friday.”
Operating: Wide receiver Bobby Engram, out for the year with a torn ACL, was in Alabama Tuesday to meet with surgeon James Andrews. Engram is expected to have his surgery performed by Andrews, whose patients have included San Diego quarterback Ryan Leaf and Carolina defensive tackle Eric Swann.