National Football League

Bears to bench Tommie Harris

Published Sep. 28, 2010 6:21 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Chicago Bears held defensive tackle Tommie Harris out of their 20-17 win over Green Bay on Monday night on a coach's decision.

Coach Lovie Smith insisted the reasons were simply related to performance and not health or discipline.

''Tommie has been doing everything that we've asked him to do,'' Smith said. ''We have decisions. (Receiver) Devin Aromashodu didn't dress tonight. We have good players on the sideline right now. It was a one-game situation. We'll go back to practice next week and see who gives us the best chance to win then.''

A three-time Pro Bowl pick, Harris was benched for a game last season and suspended for one in 2008 because of detrimental conduct. He has also been limited by knee and hamstring injuries over the past four years, although he was not listed on the Bears' injury report leading up to Monday's game.

He has insisted he is healthy but is off to a slow start with one tackle and a fumble recovery. Matt Toeaina started at defensive tackle.

The Bears held out the struggling Aromashodu, while left tackle Chris Williams and safety Major Wright sat out with hamstring injuries.