The latest rumor has the Bears talking with the New York Jets about Justin McCareins. McCareins' name was thrown around in talks with the Atlanta Falcons when the Jets were trying to get running back T.J. Duckett, who eventually wound up with the Washington Redskins.

Bears running back Cedric Benson was back on the practice field Monday wearing an orange quarterbacks jersey -- but no visible marks from the scolding he received from coach Lovie Smith for leaving the sideline Friday during a preseason game against San Diego and skipping the mandatory postgame meeting.

Running back Frank Gore can see it in his quarterback's eyes. Alex Smith is ready to lead the 49ers. Brian Griese seems just as ready to lead the Bears, and that might be bad news for Rex Grossman. Smith passed for 137 yards and led the 49ers to a big early lead in their 28-14 exhibition victory over the Bears on Friday night.

The Bears have made it clear that Rex Grossman is ahead of Brian Griese on the depth chart. "I don't really see them having a problem because of the way [coach Lovie Smith] has shown he handles things," said former Bears quarterback Jim Miller. Playing mostly against second units in the exhibitions, Griese is likely to compile better statistics than Grossman. But this team expects to be playing in late January and is unlikely to make a switch unless circumstances are dire.

Cedric Benson left Friday's second practice with a left shoulder injury. Benson remained on the field for several minutes after absorbing hits from Brian Urlacher and Mike Brown as he ran with a completed pass from Rex Grossman. The hits didn't fall Benson, but he then knelt on the ground as players, coach Lovie Smith and medical personnel surrounded him.