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Bears Mini-Camp Notes: Palmer Returns To Practice

(CBS) The Bears held their first day of mandatory mini-camp Tuesday in Lake Forest, and while there wasn't any huge news, here's a few notes from practice.

--- Battling for the backup quarterback position, Jordan Palmer returned to practice Tuesday after missing two weeks with a strained right pectoral muscle. He said he felt "great," and the injury was believed to be minor.

--- The Bears probably will take four quarterbacks into training camp, meaning the next two days are a proving ground and someone's job is likely on the line. "It'd be hard" to take five quarterbacks to training camp, coach Marc Trestman said. In addition to Palmer, Jimmy Clausen, Jarrod Johnson and rookie sixth-rounder David Fales are the other signal-callers on the roster. Originally, Palmer appeared to have the inside track to the backup job, but Jay Cutler and others have spoken highly of recent signee Clausen. Fales figures to have some job security because of his youth and the fact that the Bears spent a draft pick on him, the Tribune's Rich Campbell wrote Tuesday.

--- Tackle Jordan Mills was held out of practice for precautionary reasons. He broke his foot in the Bears' regular-season finale against the Packers last December.

--- D.J. Williams is the "lead dog" in the battle to be the starting inside linebacker, Trestman said. Jon Bostic and Christian Jones figure into the competition there as well.

--- Chris Conte, Khaseem Greene and Will Sutton all missed the practice for family reasons, Trestman said.

--- Cutler spoke to the media and downplayed worries about his durability heading into next season.

"I was (good in my career) until really I got here," Trestman said, according to the Chicago Tribune. "For awhile, it was a hit parade back there. It takes its toll from time to time. I think with the offensive line we've got here, the guys are doing everything possible. Last year was last year. Kind of two freak injuries. I don't really foresee that happening again."

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