LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- A handful of skirmishes broke out on the practice field Tuesday, the most intense pitted tight end Martellus Bennett against outside linebacker David Bass during a team drill.
Bennett appeared particularly bothered by the incident and took extra time to cool off on the sideline.
Later on, defensive lineman Ego Ferguson, outside linebacker Willie Young, offensive tackle Charles Leno and guard Louis Nix were involved in minor scuffles that players quickly broke up.
Bears head coach John Fox seemed unfazed by the extracurricular activities.
“You’ve got guys competing to try to get spots,” Fox said. “It is hot. It is coming down to that point where you pick 53, so it’s kind of par for the course.”
Right guard Kyle Long added: "I got about 15 extra seconds of rest time, so from a personal standpoint, it was a nice little break. Guys are out there competing, like Foxy said. There are guys out here fighting for their lives, their wives, their children. These peoples' lives are on the line right now, so it happens."
A litany of players skipped Tuesday’s workout, which happened to be the final open session of the preseason.
The list of unavailable players included: quarterback Jimmy Clausen (concussion), running back Matt Forte (veteran’s day), wide receivers Alshon Jeffery (calf), Eddie Royal (hip) and Marquess Wilson (hamstring), left tackle Jermon Bushrod (back), outside linebacker Sam Acho (illness), inside linebacker Jon Bostic (ankle), cornerback Tracy Porter (hamstring), defensive linemen Jeremiah Ratliff (ankle) and Eddie Goldman (concussion) and running back Senorise Perry (foot).
Receiver AJ Cruz left practice with a foot injury and did not return.
