Bears' Wolfe better in second game
Garrett Wolfe's second preseason game was much more memorable than his debut.
The former Northern Illinois star showed some of the moves and ability the Chicago Bears wanted to see when they drafted him in the third round. The 5-foot-7, 186-pound running back ran for three first downs, including bursts of 14 and 11 yards, and caught an 11-yard pass from Kyle Orton in Monday's 27-24 win over Indianapolis.
"It was good. I'm still knocking the rust off these hamstrings," he said. "It was good to go out and compete.
"I expect a lot of out myself. I look at the negatives on some of those plays. One play I made a couple of guys miss, but I didn't get upfield. I was running sideways, and in this league you aren't going to gain too many yards running sideways."
Wolfe played three full series with Orton, finishing with 28 yards on eight carries (3.5 avg.). His runs went 2, -1, 14, 1, 11, 3, 0 and -2 yards.
"Of course, you're going to be more relaxed the second time on a job," he said. "I don't think I was that wound up the first time. But I felt more comfortable on offense, knowing that I know what's going on."
Wolfe had 15 yards on seven carries (2.1 avg.) and two catches for five yards against Houston.
Battle back on
Brandon Rideau clearly had an edge on Mike Hass for the sixth receiver berth after the first preseason game. Hass got back into consideration with impressive 23- and 25-yard receptions against the Colts.
Hass worked his way wide open on the first catch, then grabbed the second one in tight coverage.
Rideau had two catches for 44 yards, with a long of 34, before departing with an ankle injury.
Hass also had a fumble recovery on special teams.
Running in place
Neither team ran effectively, with Chicago totaling 68 yards on 32 carries (2.1 avg). The Colts had 75 yards on 19 tries (3.9 avg.).
"After every game, I'd like to talk how we rushed for 200 yards," Chicago head coach Lovie Smith said. "But the preseason should be a work in progress."
Bears inactives
Only four players weren't in uniform - DT Tommie Harris, WR Mark Bradley, DB Trumaine McBride and OT John Tait.
"We're just taking our time bringing him back," Lovie Smith said of Harris. "We didn't want Tait to come back on (artificial) turf. The other two should be ready to go" next week.
Colts inactives
DB Michael Coe (groin), DB Brannon Condren (groin), OT Gabe Hall (knee), LB KaMichael Hall (hamstring), LB Tyjuan Hagler (knee), DT Tom Johnson (calf), DT Ramel Meekins (groin), DB Bob Sanders (shoulder), LB Victor Worsley (hamstring).
Next games
Chicago plays host to San Francisco at 7 p.m., Saturday, then is home vs. Cleveland at 7 p.m., on Aug. 30.
Notes, numbers
There were 56,769 tickets distributed for Monday's meeting. ... This was the 15th time the teams met in preseason, beginning in 1957. The Bears lead the exhibition games 9-5-1.
Contact staff writer Reed Schreck at 815-987-1381 or rschreck@rrstar.com.