Bears MLB Brian Urlacher underwent arthroscopic on his troublesome left knee Tuesday, but is still targeting a Week 1 return. He's already back at Bears camp. Urlacher has barely practiced this summer, but isn't a candidate to begin the year on the reserve/PUP list because he didn't begin camp on the active/PUP. Being ready for Week 1 seems extremely optimistic, but Urlacher is no stranger to playing through pain. A clearer timetable for his return should emerge in the coming days. Nick Roach has been running as the starting middle linebacker in Urlacher's absence.

Bears MLB Brian Urlacher (knee) anticipates his knee being an issue all season. "I don't see it getting any better during the season," Urlacher said. "We're going to have to manage my reps in practice and then just get through Sundays. There is a fine line between pushing it and easing into it, which is what I need to do. I just gotta get back for (Week 1). Even if I just practice the week before, I'll be in good enough shape to make it through those games." Urlacher clearly won't be taking any preseason snaps, and is looking like a poor bet to appear in all 16 games. His health is one of the Bears' biggest question marks.

Bears MLB Brian Urlacher (knee) guaranteed he'll be ready for Week 1. Urlacher has missed six straight practices, two of which he attributed to "personal reasons." He declined to put a timetable on his return to the field. "September 9, I'll be ready to play for sure," Urlacher said. "(The season opener is) all that matters to me. Preseason games and all these practices -- I'd love to be out there -- but I'm not gonna put myself in jeopardy of missing the first game."

Bears MLB Brian Urlacher (knee) has returned to camp. After missing four days with knee soreness, Urlacher left camp for "personal reasons" on Monday. It created speculation he was having tests conducted on his troublesome right knee, but the Bears haven't divulged any details about his status. We should learn more about Urlacher's status before Chicago's second preseason game next Saturday.

Bears MLB Brian Urlacher (knee) has missed six straight practices. Urlacher missed four days with soreness in his troublesome left knee, but has been away for "personal reasons" since Monday. It's unclear if the "personal reasons" are related to his knee, but it's possible he's undergoing tests. Urlacher suffered left MCL and PCL tears in Week 17 last season, but wasn't expected to be limited in camp. His absence is a concern.

Bears MLB Brian Urlacher (knee) will not be limited in training camp. Urlacher was held out of spring practices as a precaution, but he's been back to full health for awhile. "I'm full go for everything, so I won't be missing anything," Urlacher said. "One hundred and ten percent, I'm good to go."

Bears team president Ted Phillips said they will wait until after the season is over to address MLB Brian Urlacher's contract. Urlacher turned 34 in May and is entering the final year of a $40.6 million contract he signed in July of 2008. He wants to play 2-3 more seasons and has hinted that he's intrigued by the prospect of hitting the open market. Urlacher will be playing with plenty of motivation this year.

Bears MLB Brian Urlacher said Wednesday that he anticipates playing "at least" two to three more seasons. Urlacher turned 34 in May. "I always say 2-3 more years," he said. "It all depends on how I play on the field, because if I don't play good enough, nobody is going to want me. But if I keep playing well and at a high level, then two to three more years at least, I think." Urlacher says he's feeling "great" physically. For comparison, Ray Lewis is still going strong at age 37.

Brian Urlacher (knee) said he could have participated in the Bears' June 12-14 minicamp. Urlacher's torn MCL and PCL aren't real concerns as we head into training camp. He's a 12-year veteran and his knee has been feeling good since late May. Urlacher is certainly declining at age 34, but still projects for another 100-tackle season.

Bears coach Lovie Smith expects MLB Brian Urlacher (MCL, PCL) to be ''good to go'' for training camp. ''It's not a lot to explain," Smith said Tuesday. ''He's on pace. Our plan was to take it slow with him." Urlacher isn't participating in minicamp, but insisted in late May he was "100 percent on track for training camp."