The Chicago Bears will wait until game time Sunday against the Detroit Lions to decide on the status for a handful of injured defensive starters. Tackle Tommie Harris, linebacker Lance Briggs and cornerback Charles Tillman were listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. Harris sprained a knee, Briggs pulled a hamstring and Tillman sprained an ankle. Harris was the only one of the three to practice this week, with limited work Friday. "We would like for them to practice through the week, but Sunday morning, if a guy's healthy and ready to go and we think he can help us, he'll play," coach Lovie Smith said.

Despite being the second-lowest-rated starting quarterback in the NFL, Rex Grossman didn't expect to be demoted to backup quarterback by coach Lovie Smith. "I was surprised but [felt] frustration," Grossman said after his first day of practice as the No. 2 quarterback. "You have to move on and realize at any point you could be back out there. If that's the case, I'll play my best and get a rhythm going." Grossman assured Brian Griese "there were no hard feelings," and Griese empathized with the Grossman and shared a story about the time he was replaced in Denver.

"NBC Sunday Night Football," featuring the Bears-Cowboys matchup, was the top prime-time program for the third consecutive week. That's the first time in Nielsen People Meter history, since September 1987, that the NFL's premier prime-time game has been the top show for three straight weeks. The game was also the top-rated television broadcast since May's "American Idol" finale.

The Chicago Tribune, citing an anonymous source, reported on its Web site that backup Brian Griese will replace Red Grossman as the starting quarterback when the Bears face the Lions. Chicago returns to practice on Wednesday to prepare for Sunday's game at Detroit. Grossman threw three interceptions as the Chicago Bears fell to the Dallas Cowboys 34-10 on Sunday night.

Tommie Harris is expected to miss the Bears' game Sunday at Detroit, but his knee injury doesn't appear to be serious. Bill Horn, Harris' marketing agent, said the Pro Bowl defensive tackle had undergone an MRI early Monday evening, and the exam revealed a sprain. Harris said he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee Sunday against Dallas. The sprain could sideline Harris for up to a month.

Lovie Smith continued to support Red Grossman, but not as much as he has in the recent weeks. "Will Rex Grossman start Sunday? Well, our evaluation process is going on right now," Smith said. "If you come out to practice Wednesday, you'll have a better idea of who will be starting at all positions." Smith was asked point blank if he has made a decision at quarterback. "My public decision that I need to tell you right now? I'm always thinking ahead. Yes."

A quarterback change could be announced Monday after Rex Grossman's poor effort against the Cowboys. ''I'm going about my business and not worrying about things I don't control,'' Grossman said when asked if he thinks he'll be benched. ''Rex is our quarterback,'' Lovie Smith said pre-emptively. ''I don't give you my thoughts until I've watched the video. I know he's going to take a lot of the blame. We all will take a lot of the blame. We didn't get a lot done.''

Tony Romo looked desperate early on, scrambling, rushing throws and doing all he could to avoid the Chicago Bears' defense. The only thing he didn't do was go away. Romo passed for 329 yards after a rough start, Anthony Henry had two interceptions for the second straight week and the Cowboys made a big statement, beating the Bears 34-10 on Sunday night. The Cowboys showed just how serious a contender they are in the NFC during the second half, outscoring the Bears 31-7. Dallas is 3-0 for the first time since 1999.

Defensive lineman Tank Johnson, who cannot play until midseason because of an eight-game NFL suspension, reached a two-year agreement with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not available. The agreement was reached 10 minutes before a deadline imposed by the Cowboys. The former Chicago Bear visited team officials Monday night and hoped to have a deal in place by Tuesday afternoon. Although it is unclear what he can do between now and when he is reinstated by the league, the former Chicago Bear at least has a future employer. "For a lot of reasons, he really just felt the Cowboys were the right fit," Johnson's agent, Jerrold Colton, told The Associated Press. "He's so thankful to them for giving him this opportunity. He is very determined to prove they made a wise decision in believing in him."

Coach Lovie Smith doesn't appear to have immediate plans to bench Cedric Benson in favor of backup Adrian Peterson, no matter how disappointed he is right now in the running game. Asked Monday if Peterson's running style complements the offensive line better, Smith got a little testy. "Who's our starter?" Smith said, referring to Benson. "I'd say that [Benson's] running style fits a little bit better. We like both players."