LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears concluded Day 2 of their mandatory veteran minicamp Wednesday at Halas Hall.
Here are some quick observations from the workout:
• Former Bears cornerback Tom Carter (1997-99), now a player advocate with the NFLPA, attended Wednesday’s session to make sure the club continued to adhere to the rules in the new collective bargaining agreement regarding contact during workouts.
CBA rules state that contact work -- live blocking, tackling pass rushing, bump-and-run coverage -- or use of pads other than helmets is prohibited at minicamps. The NFL and NFLPA can’t monitor offseason work of all 32 teams, and typically investigates if it receives a complaint from a player or comes across a media report of a physical practices or fight. Investigators are then able to review video -- because every team is required to film every drill -- to determine whether a club committed a violation. Teams are reportedly required to keep video of offseason work on file until four weeks into the season, and that video can be reviewed if complaints are made.
The Bears currently utilize four cameras at Halas Hall to monitor offseason work.
• Devin Hester continued to line up as the deep man on punt returns, but free-agent addition Eric Weems and rookie Greg McCoy also lined up in that position.
• Although Chris Williams opened as the starting left tackle during Tuesday’s session, the club opened with J’Marcus Webb in that spot for Wednesday’s practice. Throughout the workout, both players alternated taking reps with the starters.
• Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite didn’t participate during Tuesday or Wednesday’s team sessions, but the club didn’t disclose a reason.
Tight end Matt Spaeth (hamstring), linebackers Patrick Trahan and Brian Urlacher (knee), and defensive end Thaddeus Gibson also didn’t participate. Rookie receiver Alshon Jeffery (lower leg) worked with the team during individual drills, but didn’t take part in team work.
Urlacher, meanwhile, continued to work with director of rehabilitation Bobby Slater away from the rest of the team performing drills. At one point, Urlacher also worked at pulling a sled.
• Hester made a leaping grab during 7-on-7 drills between D.J. Moore and Chris Conte.
• Second-year wideout Dane Sanzenbacher, who led the team in drops last season and dropped several passes during organized team activities in recent weeks, appears to have rebounded somewhat during the first two days of minicamp. Sanzenbacher didn’t drop any passes thrown his way during 7 on 7, but still might face long odds to make the team because of the arrival of free agent Devin Thomas, who gives the club value as a special teams player.
• Pro Bowl cornerback Charles Tillman continues to hone is strip technique. Tillman punched a ball out of the hands of tight end Kellen Davis during team drills, before recovering and pitching a lateral to linebacker Nick Roach.
“He’s always been able to strip the football as well as anybody I think I’ve seen in the league,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “Of course, he followed that up today, getting the ball out.”
• Veteran long snapper Patrick Mannelly appears almost fully recovered from a 2011 season ending knee injury. Mannelly returned to action near the end of OTAs and snapped with the first team the first two days of minicamp.
• First-year tight end Evan Rodriguez made several receptions downfield in both full-team and seven-on-seven drills. Rodriguez appears to have great strides since struggling at the club's rookie minicamp held in early May.