Major

Wright

Wright’s status for Week 3 is uncertain. His injury could be the impetus for the Bears to officially move Brandon Meriweather into the starting lineup opposite SS Chris Harris.

Hardin’s stock tumbled after he missed 2011 with a variety of injuries, but he boasts impressive speed to go with his 6-foot-3, 217-pound frame, and should give Wright a run for his money in camp. If Hardin wins the job, he’ll join 2011 third-round pick Chris Conte in forming an age-23 safety tandem for Chicago.

Wright went down late in the first half before being ruled out at halftime. Craig Steltz is now in the game at free safety for the Bears.

Craig Steltz will get the start against Denver and will probably spend the entire day in the box, making him an intriguing one-game IDP sleeper. Chris Conte has been the Bears’ starting free safety. Brandon Meriweather is No. 3.

Wright intercepted a Peyton Manning first-quarter pass and may have pulled the hammy on the return. He was immediately ruled out for the rest of the contest.

Bears cornerback Charles Tillman credits the improved play of safeties Chris Conte and Major Wright and the work of the coaching staff for all but eliminating the busted coverages that previously plagued the defense. “Just talking from a safety standpoint, Major Wright and Chris Conte have done a phenomenal job of not giving up the big plays and letting guys get behind them like they did last year,” Tillman said. So far this season, Pro Football Focus has Wright as a top-10 safety.

Major Wright is listed as the team’s starting free safety on the depth chart, but the Bears didn’t give Meriweather a $1 million signing bonus and a $2.25 million base salary to ride the pine. He’ll see snaps today and could easily surpass Wright on the depth chart as early as Week 2.

Wright attempted to take down Saints tight end Jimmy Graham with a helmet-first tackle in the third quarter but immediately hit the turf after making contact. He was eventually able to walk off the field, but is not expected to return to the game.

Signed just a few weeks ago, Meriweather was expected to move into the starting unit regardless, but Harris’ injury sealed the deal. Major Wright moves over to strong safety.

Starting strong safety Chris Harris is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury while starting free safety Major Wright is expected to miss the game with a head/neck injury. Aaron Rodgers will likely be passing against backups at both spots this week. Rotoworld matchups guru Evan Silva notes that Jermichael Finley is a “Cover-2 killer” as well.