The Facts: As suggested in a previous item, how soon Jones will be able to contribute for the Bears remains to be seen. He tore the ACL in his right knee Dec. 23 and might begin camp on the physically-unable-to-perform list, even though he passed a physical. Asked if he'll be ready for the start of camp, Jones said: "I think so. They're going to be cautious with me and take it slow. The doctors recommended I don't get hit in the first week of training camp. I don't know what the plan is for the preseason."

Diehards Line:If he begins the regular season on the PUP list, he wouldn't be eligible to join the 53-man roster until after Week 6. As Sun-Times staffer Brad Biggs reminded readers, ACL reconstructions typically require a minimum of eight months to rehabilitate, so the depth chart might be topped by rookie Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson and Garrett Wolfe to open the season. HC Lovie Smith made it clear after organized team activities that he was committed to going forward with that trio in the post-Cedric Benson era.