Barry Minter was able to get through part of Thursday's Bears practice with his injured back, but rookie Brian Urlacher has been tabbed as the starter at middle linebacker, his first NFL start.

Urlacher took most of the snaps at middle linebacker Thursday and Sean Harris was at strong-side linebacker "so more than likely that's where they'll be on Sunday," said coach Dick Jauron. "That's how we'll start the game."

The Bears still might go with only four linebackers active Sunday. Minter is questionable with his bruised back, Rosevelt Colvin is out with a sprained knee and Ty Hallock is doubtful with a strained abdomen.

The result is perhaps not only the thinnest at a position that the Bears have gone into a game recently, but also the least experienced. Harris has played in almost twice as many games (68) as Urlacher, Warrick Holdman and Khari Samuel combined (35) and has 25 career starts to eight for the others.

But strong-side linebacker is the position Harris has played the least, his lone start there coming in 1997's final game. And it was the position Urlacher was handed on draft day without Harris ever really having a chance to win in training camp.

Urlacher may still play at strong-side linebacker this year. But one Bears coach admitted playing him there was a "mistake" because of Urlacher's better suitability for middle or weak-side linebacker with his speed and experience playing off the line of scrimmage.

Adjusting: Thursday was a test of the Bears' reactions to stress. Their morning meeting schedule was shot when a power failure prevented use of videotape machines for meetings, so they simply went outside to conduct their morning walk-through ahead of schedule. Then it poured rain, driving them into their Walter Payton Center practice bubble for the day's work.

Line dance: In every game, there is a matchup or two on which the game could turn. Against the New York Giants, one will be Bears right tackle James Williams against New York defensive end Michael Strahan, who will be coming at quarterback Cade McNown's blind side with his 34 1/2 sacks and three Pro Bowls over the last three seasons.

"He's a good defensive end--solid, strong and plays well in their scheme," said Williams. Right defensive ends may have the sacker image in the NFL, but more Hall of Fame ends came from the left, including Willie Davis, Deacon Jones, Gino Marchetti and Howie Long. In addition, Williams remembers another one well and even misses him a little: "Ever since [Reggie White] is gone from Green Bay, you look forward to these matchups," Williams said. "I enjoy playing people like that."

Depth-charting: Eddie Kennison is expected to be used as the No. 3 wide receiver instead of Marty Booker, still nursing a shoulder injury. "It doesn't change our scheme," Jauron said, referring to Kennison's greater deep speed than Booker's.

Shawn Wooden (hamstring) is not expected to play, meaning seventh-round draft choice Michael Green should be activated.