The Bears will use their franchise tag on Matt Forte barring a contract breakthrough between now and February, according to sources. Chicago applied the franchise tag on Forte, it means he would be paid the average of the top five 2011 running back salaries for the 2012 season. After failing to reach an agreement during the preseason, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said the sides agreed to table the talks until after the season.

The Lions have claimed safety Chris Harris off waivers just a day after he was released by the Bears. Chicago, who will play Detroit on Nov. 13, cut Harris just over a week after he requested a trade before the Oct. 18 deadline. If he had cleared waivers, Harris was planning on visiting the Texans, who lost former Bears safety Danieal Manning to a broken fibula.

The Bears claimed LB Jabara Williams off of waivers. Williams was drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft by St. Louis and played in two games this season with the Rams. The linebacker played collegiately at Stephen F. Austin, where he was a third-team All-American and the 2010 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The Garrison, Texas native finished his college career with 411 tackles, 7.0 sacks, four interceptions and 19 passes defensed en route to three all-Southland Conference first-team honors.

Just over a week after requesting a trade, Bears safety Chris Harris was released on Thursday morning, according to an ESPN.com report. "I was just released this morning by the Bears. Thank u for the opp to play football n do what I luv. I'm looking toward my next venture," Harris tweeted.

Buccaneers running back LeGarrette Blount will not play against the Bears in London on Sunday, according to coach Raheem Morris. Blount took a hit on his left knee in a Week 5 loss to the 49ers and missed the win over the Saints.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler says there is no rift between him and offensive coordinator Mike Martz. However, Cutler didn't deny speculation that he directed an expletive at Martz during Sunday's win over the Vikings and said he doesn't regret it An on-field camera showed Cutler looking upset after getting the play for a second-down play with 49 seconds left in the first half of Chicago's 39-10 victory over Minnesota. After the team broke the huddle, Cutler looked toward the sideline and a microphone caught him say what appears to be "... f--- him." "I'm a competitor. So is [Martz]," Cutler said Wednesday. "So is everyone on this offense. Whether we are up three touchdowns or three points, a second- and third-down call is as important as any one in the game. It is what it is. We're good. We're moving on."

Bears linebacker Lance Briggs said players and management are not seeing eye to eye on many issues. Briggs believes that the contractual disputes involving a couple of players are taking focus away from performing on the field. The linebacker had requested a new deal or a trade during the preseason. Matt Forte also wants a new deal, and Chris Harris recently requested a trade after being benched during Sunday night's win over the Vikings. "I don't necessarily know about where we are right now," Briggs said. "In the past, things have just worked themselves out. "I think there's a big transition going on right now in Chicago . . . I don't know where it's going to go and how it's going to pan out. For a guy, especially for a guy like Matt Forte, who is well deserved of a new deal, I'd like to see that happen for him and for everybody, but it's not going to happen for everyone."

Bears receiver Devin Hester was slapped on the back of the head at an Illinois casino on Friday by a man who was arrested on a misdemeanor count of battery. Daniel Rago, 52, of Mount Prospect, Ill., was charged after slapping the back of Hester's head while the receiver was in a cash transaction line Friday night. "Rago comes up from behind and slaps Mr. Hester with an open hand and walks away," Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Prandini said. "Mr. Hester turned around and notified casino security. The offender was escorted to a security office and we were contacted. We were able to review the incident on video, and that verified the facts as stated by Mr. Hester. "No prior incident between the two took place."

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo says that the club hasn't received any calls regarding Matt Forte and that he "doesn't see us doing anything" regarding the deadline. Forte's contract impasse with the club led to speculation the running back could be moved. The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday that two teams had internal discussions about Forte.

As the Bears continue to drag their feet in talks with Matt Forte about as contract extension, at least two teams have had internal discussions about trading for the running back. Chicago hasn't expressed any intention of dealing their franchise back, but it hasn't stopped the other teams from exploring the possibility of acquiring Forte. The interest in Forte is not expected to facilitate any last-minute surprises before the trade deadline Tuesday. "I'm glad teams are interested," Forte said. "For me to be out here working as hard as I do and not have a contract extension, you kind of get that feeling of being unappreciated. I just hope that when this year is over and I play as well as I've been playing, that if the Bears don't reward me with a contract, another team will."