The Chicago Bears will face the Denver Broncos on Thursday without middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who missed practice time for the sixth straight day on Tuesday, but it's not a situation totally unfamiliar to the team.
Linebacker Nick Roach slides over from the strong side to take Urlacher's spot, and will do so to start Thursday's game. Urlacher's absence the last two days was said by coach Lovie Smith to be for "personal reasons," unrelated to the knee issues Urlacher had been having.
The Bears turned to Roach when Urlacher went out for the entire season in Week 1 against Green Bay in 2009 but the results weren't entirely what they hoped for and he moved back to the outside when former Bear Hunter Hillenmeyer manned the middle. Roach had three starts in the middle in 2009.
"There's just a lot more vocal communication," Roach said about playing the middle as opposed to outside. "We all communicate as a defense to each other, but now you have to start off a lot of the checks and are getting people lined up."
Roach said the actual playing of the position isn't a lot different, "... because a lot of times we're just running through the gap or taking on blockers or dropping. All the linebacker movements aren't all that much different."
However, Roach hasn't had the experience dropping into deep coverage in the cover-2 zone that the Bears like to employ. He comes off the field in the nickel when he plays strong side linebacker, so there is a big drop off from an eight-time Pro Bowl player.
An interception he made in a Monday practice and a return for a TD was a rare sight. He has no career interceptions and nine passes defended in 45 career starts.
"When you kind of see (Urlacher) not out there with us for so many practices, it draws a little concern for just the fact that we care about him and we need that piece of the puzzle," cornerback Tim Jennings said.
The prolonged absence of Urlacher caused questions Tuesday about the team's long-term preparedness in the middle with Roach.
"Brian’s going to be playing it full time," coach Lovie Smith said. "Nick’s a great Sam, and if we need him to play Mike he’ll be able to fill in."
At least for now, that's what they'll need.
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLCHI.
