BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Lance Louis strolled off the practice field Thursday night knowing Monday’s game against the New York Giants could very well seal his fate with the Chicago Bears.

Coming off a subpar performance in the exhibition opener against the Buffalo Bills, Louis understands another stinker against the Giants might force the Bears to look elsewhere for a starting right guard.

“It’s real critical for me, you know what I’m saying?” Louis said. “I had a bad first game; got hurt last year against them. I’m really looking to redeem myself against this team.”

Louis missed practice Wednesday due to vomiting and dehydration, returning for the following night’s workout, where he rejoined the starting offensive line.

Louis knows his time with the starters could be fleeting if the Bears stumble through a similar performance to the preseason opener, in which they allowed nine Bills' sacks.

Louis and offensive line coach Mike Tice said the right guard took an over-aggressive approach against Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, who was the No. 3 pick of the draft in April.

But Louis plans to remedy that against the Giants on Monday night by playing a smarter brand of football.

In addition to disappointment in the preseason opener, Louis hopes to atone for last year’s game against the Giants in which he bruised his right knee and was pulled from action. During that outing, quarterback Jay Cutler suffered an NFL-record nine sacks in the first half before leaving with a concussion.

“I know what I have to do. I’m just gonna work hard and compete to the whistle blows,” Louis said. “That’s all I know to do.”