The first team-issued depth chart came out Monday for the Chicago Bears and seemed to settle the offensive line situation prior to the first preseason game.
There were no surprises as J'Marcus Webb is starting left tackle, Gabe Carimi starting right tackle, and Chris Williams the backup at both spots. Carimi had struggled early on in camp and even stepped back and let Williams take snaps with the first team for a while, but hasn't had problems with his surgically repaired knee and appeared solid the past three or four practices.
"Gabe’s knee is really coming around," offensive coordinator Mike Tice said. "And we’re going to still evaluate the game (vs. Denver Thursday) and if one guy in a backup role steps up and has a great game, then we’ll re-evaluate that. But for now we’re going to put those five guys in there and let them work together and see if they can gel."
Carimi's knee wasn't the only issue. The Bears are banking on him improving with his third year starting and second year at left tackle.
"I’m not in a rush to change for change’s sake and we’re hoping that a guy in his third year, Webb, will step up and mature as a football player and as a person and get better and show us that this means something to him," Tice said.
The first-team offensive line will start working more on protection schemes now than talent evaluation.
Out and about: Brian Urlacher's absence from practice caused a stir after he had already missed at least parts of four straight practices due to knee soreness. However, coach Lovie Smith said a personal issue unrelated to the knee was the reason for Urlacher's absence. The same situation was true with the absence of defensive tackle Brian Price.
"For right now everything with Brian is like it was last time you (media) saw him out here," Smith said. "He's making progress and we'll see once he gets back out on the football field."
Swing guy: Harvey Unga missed his first two seasons on injured reserve and then on the reserve/left team list, and now the former BYU back is going between fullback and running back. The offense has used Unga at tailback in short-yardage and sometimes at fullback blocking for Michael Bush, Kahlil Bell or Lorenzo Booker.
"He's going to be a swing guy," running backs coach Tim Spencer said. "He's got to show us he can do something to make the team."
In and out: WR Devin Thomas, who quit the team and announced his retirement via Twitter, was placed on the reserve/left team list. ... Defensive tackle DeMario Pressley, a fourth-year plyayer who was waived by Carolina and signed by the Bears, has his right ankle and foot in a soft cast and is not practicing. ... Wide receiver Eric Weems (ankle) is dressing for practice, but still is not participating fully in scrimmages. ... Defensive end Shea McClellin had an up-and-down day. He beat tackle Chris Williams badly in pass rush drills on successive plays. Later, he suffered a leg injury and left the field, but returned after being looked at by trainers.
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLCHI.