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BOURBONNAIS, Ill. - In the opening week of Lovie Smith's first training camp as coach, it seems the Bears are pulling muscles faster than they are running plays.
It started in the first practice when Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher, who never has missed a game in his four seasons, strained his right hamstring. He will be out four to six weeks.
The sore hamstring list includes top receiver Marty Booker, also hurt in the first practice, tight ends Desmond Clark and John Gilmore and wide receivers Justin Gage and Jamin Elliott.
There's running back Anthony Thomas' sore side, defensive end Alex Brown's calf muscle that has kept him out of drills, offensive lineman Mike Gandy's tender groin and a "stinger" sustained by Pro Bowl kick returner Jerry Azumah.
Azumah rejoined the team Tuesday after going to Pittsburgh for a second opinion on the injury to his shoulder and neck area. Azumah said a specialist will review his MRI and other tests before he resumes full contract drills.
"I just want to make sure. The neck is something you shouldn't play around with," he said.
Good thing it's early, but with the Bears trying to install new offensive and defensive schemes, the rash of injuries is not ideal, especially when key players like Urlacher, Booker and Azumah fall behind. Smith's practices are longer than predecessor Dick Jauron's and involve more running during drills.
"We practice a lot more running and that's what caused some of that, the muscle pulls, and then the others are just chance," Smith said.
Smith made it clear when he took over he wanted a leaner and trimmer team and instructed several players to lose weight. But slimming down and reducing body fat has not necessarily prevented injuries.
"To me this is what training camp is supposed to be. You are supposed to be tired," Smith said when the Bears called off the first of two practices and gave their players some added rest. "Every camp you will have muscle pulls. Everywhere I've been we've had muscle pulls, groin pulls, the same thing. It's no different."
COWBOYS: Bill Parcells showed he can take the knocks in training camp as well as his players. The coach was knocked to the ground during practice when tight end Jason Witten ran into him during a passing drill. Parcells got up smiling and didn't appear hurt. The coach does not talk to reporters after the afternoon workout.
"I tried to help him up and he said, "I'm all right.' So I left it at that," Witten said. "I was scared to death. "I'm sorry Coach. I'm sorry, let me help you up.' That's the first thing out of my mouth."
FALCONS: Michael Vick returned after missing two sessions with a blister on his left thumb. Wide receiver Terrence Edwards (knee, back) and defensive tackle Ed Jasper (shin) also returned; guard Kynan Forney was out with a sore shoulder.
And a day after agreeing to a $25-million, five-year contract, first-round draft pick DeAngelo Hall reported to training camp and attended meetings most of the day. He missed a morning workout, but got on the field in a night session, still a starting cornerback despite a six-day holdout.
VIKINGS: Center Matt Birk returned to the Twin Cities for a follow-up exam on a pelvic injury that has kept him out of practices the past two days. Coach Mike Tice said the worst-case scenario is the Pro Bowl player would miss two or three weeks, and that he has been guaranteed Birk will be ready for the season opener Sept. 12 against Dallas.