Dusty

Dvoracek

Haynes is on the roster bubble. Dvoracek may play a big role with two tackles in front of him injured.

With Tank Johnson and Ian Scott out, Chicago’s deep tackle group would be much thinner if Dvoracek is suddenly down. With Mike Brown also hurting, could the vaunted Bears D be headed for a decline?

The third-round pick, who struggled with alcohol problems in college, is a fast-twitch defensive tackle who will be asked to push the pocket. Chicago insisted on four-year contracts for all their rookies, yet have already managed to sign their entire draft class.

Dvoracek’s backup is Anthony Adams, although Darwin Walker is a superior player and would likely start next to Tommie Harris if Dusty misses action.

The Bears have talented and experienced reinforcements to compensate for both injuries, but it’s a big blow to their team depth. Pass rusher Darwin Walker will move into the lineup to replace Dvoracek and Tommie Harris could move to the nose. 2006 starter Danieal Manning slides into Brown’s spot. Antonio Garay will likely be activated from the practice squad.

The suspension can be reduced to six games if Johnson complies with all pending court requirements and avoids run-ins with the law before October 1. He won’t be able to participate in OTAs but can attend the Bears’ practice facility. Dusty Dvoracek is the lead candidate to take Johnson’s place next to Tommie Harris, though Anthony Adams and Antonio Garay are in the mix.

He’ll compete with Anthony Adams and Antonio Garay for time at the position. Dvoracek was labeled a high-motor nose tackle coming out of Oklahoma.

Buffalo likely got a fifth-round pick or better from Chicago; the Bills would’ve received a sixth-rounder had Walker continued to hold out of training camp and had his rights revert to the Eagles. Walker will add depth and a proven pass-rushing interior presence behind Tommie Harris in Chicago. Dusty Dvoracek is still the favorite to start.

Walker, who was acquired from Buffalo over the weekend, gets the long-term security he’d been holding out for. By virtue of the pricey contract the Bears gave him, he looks like a very strong bet to start over Dusty Dvoracek.

Dvoracek, who entered the 2007 season as a starter, injured his knee in the Bears’ first game of the season. He missed his entire rookie campaign due to injury as well. The former Oklahoma Sooner started running last week and expects to be cleared for practice a few weeks after the draft.