Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy said Monday the team's pursuit of Chicago Bears running back Thomas Jones is "more rumor" than reality. "I know (Bears coach) Lovie Smith pretty well and I know they're going to be a running football team,'' Dungy said. "It would be hard for me to imagine you get a good back like (Jones) and he'll be available to anybody.'' Although Dungy would not specifically address the Colts' level of interest in Jones, he conceded the team "investigates it all. But right now I'd say it's still in the rumor stage.'' The Chicago Tribune reported several teams, including the Colts, have contacted Bears general manager Jerry Angelo regarding Jones' availability. The newspaper reported the Colts' interest waned when they discovered Jones was skipping the Bears' voluntary offseason workouts.

Ricky Manning Jr. joined the Chicago Bears on Monday, a day after the cornerback was arrested on suspicion of assault following a fight at a restaurant in Los Angeles. "Unfortunately, I can't talk about any legal business," Manning said during a conference call after the Carolina Panthers declined to match the Bears' offer sheet. "I was advised by my agent that I can't talk about any legal business or what happened Sunday morning. But when things are sorted out, I'll be more than happy to tell my side of the story so you can find out what happened."

The Chicago Bears signed restricted free-agent defensive back Ricky Manning Jr. to an offer sheet Friday, with his agent saying the deal is worth up to $21 million over five years. The deal includes about $7.5 million in guaranteed money in the first year of the contract, agent Jim Ivler said. Manning spent his first three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, who eliminated the Bears from the playoffs last season. The Panthers have until April 28 to match the offer or receive a third-round draft pick from the Bears. "Ricky is obviously thrilled and he would be happy to be a Bear or a Panther," Ivler said.

With the NFL draft 16 days away, the Bears' plans are beginning to take shape -- and they could involve another significant move in free agency that would give them a wealth of options with their first-round pick. Two players were in town Wednesday night. One was Ricky Manning Jr., a restricted free agent from the Carolina Panthers who would cost the Bears only a third-round pick and would fill the immediate need for a nickel cornerback. The other was UCLA's Marcedes Lewis, believed to be at the top of their list at tight end. And the wild card could be Florida State outside linebacker Ernie Sims, who was brought in last week to undergo a series of medical exams. Sims had five concussions during his college career, but a source said Sims checked out clean, and he and Alabama's DeMeco Ryans are thought to fit the profile of what the Bears are looking for at the position.

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Terry "Tank" Johnson is recovering Friday from surgery to repair a torn quadriceps muscle, an injury that could sideline him for at least four months. The 24-year-old Johnson injured his leg during a workout and had surgery last week, the Bears said. He is expected to be out for four to six months, missing most of training camp. Johnson's agent, Bill Heck, declined to discuss specifics of the injury. The team said he was not working out at Halas Hall at the time. Johnson, who started several games last season, is considered a promising nose tackle.