LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (knee) and running back Marion Barber (calf) missed their second consecutive day of practice on Thursday, but coach Lovie Smith remained optimistic about their availability for the season finale at Minnesota.

The club also held out tight end Kellen Davis (illness).

“Urlacher’s knee is getting better, but he didn’t practice,” Smith said. “Kellen Davis is sick. I thought he would be able to go today, and he wasn’t. Marion Barber came and was able to do a few things, but was just not quite there yet either. Some of those guys will be ready to go, but they weren’t today. That’s just kind of how it goes.”

The Bears listed Lance Briggs on the injury report as participating in a limited capacity at practice Thursday, while receiver Devin Hester (ankle), linebacker Nick Roach (shin), right guard Chris Spencer (back) and defensive end Corey Wootton (concussion) were full participants.

For the Vikings, guard Anthony Herrera (back) and safety Jamarca Sanford (shoulder) were limited participants at practice. The team listed cornerbacks Asher Allen (shoulder/concussion) and Benny Sapp (shoulder) as having participated fully along with quarterback Christian Ponder (concussion).