Williams was supposed to assume the left tackle position soon but, if it happens this season, it will definitely be later. And Metcalf was the starting left guard when he went down.

So journeyman John St. Clair remains at left tackle, and Josh Beekman, last year's fourth-round draft pick, is the left guard du jour.

Beekman played in one game last season -- briefly. St. Clair hasn't been a full-time starter since 2004, and even then he played in the usually-less-challenging right tackle spot.

Beekman spent much of the off-season and the early part of training camp backing up six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz, but he's back at the spot where he started 34 games for Boston College, and he's getting a crash course.

Beekman started and played all of the preseason opener last Thursday, which is almost unheard of these days. He'll take all the reps he can get.

"I'm still a rookie in my mind," Beekman said. "I still have to prove myself. These guys that I work with every day, they've been doing this in their sleep since I was a little kid, so if I have to play a whole game, then so be it."

Beekman spent an extra 20 minutes after Sunday's two-hour practice working on his technique under the scrutiny of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, assistant offensive line coach Luke Butkus and Kreutz. He knows he's getting an opportunity that isn't ever guaranteed, so he's doing all he can to capitalize.

"I embrace it fully," the 6-2, 310-pound Beekman said. "This is a situation that could possibly happen in the (regular) season. I remember when Ruben Brown (the Bears' starting left guard from 2004-07) said, 'There are going to be seasons when a guy never gets hurt, and there's going to be a season where everybody could get hurt, so you have to be ready.' I just want to do more positive than negative out here on the football field."

Beekman did enough in his extended play last Thursday to be given a shot to win the spot that could be an Achilles' heel for the Bears all season if someone doesn't step up in a hurry. He says one of the most valuable resources in his quest for knowledge is Kreutz.

"Olin's been in this league 11 years," Beekman said. "That's just an honor unto itself. Think about it; six Pro Bowls. He must be doing something right. So every time he speaks, I'm silent, and I listen, and I try to soak it up like a sponge."

If Williams hadn't been injured, he may have already claimed the left tackle spot from St. Clair, who doesn't have nearly the upside potential that the rookie possesses, but he has the experience of 91 NFL games, including 39 starts, although just six of them have been at left tackle.

The Bears never really got a chance to see what they had in Williams, but they know what they've got in St. Clair.

"I'm sure Chris is going to be a great player, and he was working hard, but we never really had him, so I don't know what we lost," Kreutz said. "John St. Clair's been our starting left tackle (since the off-season), and he's been there from Day 1. So we have all our starters and we're ready to go.

"As an offensive line, you don't have to have one great player. You just have to be good together."

It remains to be seen if the Bears can build a winning hand from the current personnel.

--WR Brandon Lloyd had a team-high four catches for 37 yards Saturday night vs. the Seahawks.

--TE Kellen Davis, a fifth-round pick from Michigan State, led all players Saturday night with 55 receiving yards on three catches.

--LB Darrell McClover, fighting for a roster spot, blocked a punt that resulted in a safety Saturday night.

--DT Dusty Dvoracek is expected to see his first game action in Thursday night's third preseason game.

--RB Kevin Jones (knee) expects to play in Thursday night's third preseason game.

BATTLE FRONTS: The situation at wide receiver may be coming into focus. Brandon Lloyd and Devin Hester got more snaps with the starters than anyone else in Saturday night's preseason loss to the Seahawks. But Rashied Davis, listed as a co-starter with Hester at one of the wideout positions, didn't make the trip so he could be present at the birth of his first child. Lloyd led the Bears with four catches (for 37 yards), although they all came during a two-minute drill at the end of the first half. Hester caught two passes for 22 yards, while Marty Booker had his first catch of the preseason, a 15-yarder.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: DT Israel Idonije. With Tommie Harris sitting out the second preseason game as a precautionary measure, Idonije got the start and made an impact. The five-year veteran from Manitoba University, had a sack, two QB hurries and a tackle for loss.

ROOKIE REPORT: RB Matt Forte struggled behind a shaky offensive line in preseason Game 2, picking up just 17 yards on seven carries with a long gain of five yards, but he had a 15-yard run wiped out by a holding call. He also caught one pass for seven yards. ... WR Earl Bennett did not catch a pass, but he had a 75-yard punt-return TD that gave the Bears a 19-9 lead vs. the Seahawks. ... DT Marcus Harrison saw some playing time with the starters because Tommie Harris didn't play and was in on four tackles. ... TE Kellen Davis, who has been impressive as a special-teams wedge-buster, led all receivers Saturday night with 55 yards on three catches. ... Undrafted Caleb Hanie played the entire second half and completed 5 of 9 passes for 46 yards with a TD and a pick, posting a passer rating of 67.1.

INJURY REPORT: OT Chris Williams (back) is not expected back for several weeks after having surgery for a herniated disc. ... OG Terrence Metcalf is not expected back until after the third preseason game following arthroscopic knee surgery. ... NT Dusty Dvoracek (calf) did not play in the second preseason game but expects to play in the third. ... RB Kevin Jones (knee) did not play in the second preseason game but expects to play on the third. ... DT Tommie Harris did not play in Saturday night's preseason game at Seattle to prevent wear and tear on his knees, but he is expected back in the starting lineup for Game 3. ... TE Desmond Clark suffered what the Bears called a sprained knee in the first quarter Saturday night and did not return. ... SS Kevin Payne, starting in place of injured Brandon McGowan (knee), suffered a back injury early in the second half and did not return. ... LB Nick Roach left the game late in the first half with a concussion, which was believed to be mild.