LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte was able to practice on a limited basis for a second straight day on Friday but head coach Lovie Smith stopped short of guaranteeing that Forte will be ready to return when the club takes on the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.

Forte sat out last week due to a sprained ankle he suffered in Week 2 against the Green Bay Packers.


"He's getting better and better," Smith said. "Nothing has changed, I said that starting off with when he went down with the injury. He's making a lot of progress. I think you guys got a chance to see him today. He's making progress but we're not there yet to say he's for sure playing."

Meantime, wide receiver Earl Bennett was also limited for the second day in a row with a hand injury, while Smith opted to hold middle Brian Urlacher out of practice to rest his knee.

"He'll be back on the football field tomorrow," Smith said of Urlacher.

Fullback Evan Rodriguez remained out with a knee injury but long snapper Patrick Mannelly returned to practice after he missed Thursday's workout due to an illness.

The Bears will practice on Saturday before traveling to Dallas on Sunday.