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DALLAS -- A federal judge has delayed the drug conspiracy trial for former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd until August.

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DALLAS -- A federal judge has set an April 2 trial date for former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd, who is charged with trying to create a drug-distribution network.

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DALLAS -- Former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd has hired new attorneys to defend him against accusations that he tried to establish a drug-dealing ring.

One of Hurd's new lawyers says the former Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys receiver plans to plead not guilty this week. Jay Ethington says he and San Antonio attorney Michael McCrum will take over Hurd's case.

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An arraignment date of Jan. 25 has been set for former Chicago Bears wide receiver Sam Hurd, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas.

Hurd, who is set to appear before Judge Jorge A. Solis at the U.S. Courthouse in Dallas, was indicted in early January on federal drug conspiracy and possession charges after he and another man were accused of trying to establish a drug-dealing network.

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A federal grand jury indicted former Chicago Bears receiver Sam Hurd and Toby Lujan on Wednesday each with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, announced U.S. attorney Sarah R. Saldana of the Northern District of Texas.

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1. Jay Cutler fractures thumb: The Bears improved to 7-3 following an impressive home win over San Diego, and appeared a lock to qualify for the postseason for a second consecutive year. That was until Cutler fractured his right thumb which required surgery and sidelined the quarterback indefinitely. It's been all downhill since.

2. Epic collapse in Denver: Even without Cutler, the Bears led Denver 10-0 late in the fourth quarter in Week 14. Then the roof caved in. Marion Barber made two horrendous blunders that paved the way for the Bears to get Tebowed in the Mile High City. Some argue the season ended that day.

3. Matt Forte's lingering contract issue: Forte reported to training camp after receiving an assurance from general manager Jerry Angelo that his contract extension was a priority. It might have been, but the two sides were unable to reach a deal and talks eventually broke off. Forte, who was voted to his first Pro Bowl on Tuesday, was on pace for a career year before he sprained his MCL. Now he seems on pace for a holdout if/when the Bears apply the franchise tag in the offseason.

4. Arrest of wide receiver Sam Hurd: The Bears have dealt with a few legal issues throughout the years, but none on the level of Hurd, who is accused of attempting to arrange weekly purchases of cocaine and marijuana with an intent to distribute. Hurd was cut two days after his arrest, but the damage was done, as the Bears got blown out at home a few days later by the Seattle Seahawks. So much for limiting those late season distractions.

5. Bears waive goodbye to Olin Kreutz: Everybody assumed Kreutz would retire as a member of the Bears. Wrong. After a few days spent negotiating a new deal, the veteran center was given a take it or leave it ultimatum by the club. Kreutz left it, ending a 13-year relationship with the organization. He eventually signed with the New Orleans Saints, but suddenly retired in the middle of the season.

Via ESPNChicago.com, I heard most of the brief news conference Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo held Friday to announce the inevitable and highly warranted decision to waive receiver Sam Hurd. What caught my ear more than anything, however, was Angelo's snappy response when asked if this episode will impact his future with the organization.

"Whistling Dixie," is what it sounded like Angelo said. In other words, you're in fantasy land.

I wonder, however, how Hurd's arrest will weigh on a lifelong football man who never imagined that the acquisition of a No. 5 receiver and special teams contributor would blow up into one of the most embarrassing moments in recent franchise history. By all accounts, Hurd was a well-respected member of the Dallas Cowboys for five seasons and there were few, if any, people around the NFL who would have suspected him of operating a drug distribution ring that undercover federal investigators busted Wednesday night in Chicago.

Angelo downplayed reports this month that he might retire after the season. There are times when sports franchises and private businesses alike oust their top executives at times of extreme crisis, but I don't think this qualifies. If the Bears fire Angelo because he signed a veteran NFL player with no prior history who was later revealed to be a drug dealer, well, that would be a tough blow.

Angelo said Friday that there were "no facts" and "no flags" that "anyone can present tangibly" that would suggest the Bears should have been aware of Hurd's alleged secret life. "We do our homework," Angelo said. "We do our due diligence and we did everything we could possibly do given the information that we can accumulate."

But when you think back just over the past year or so, you recall Angelo explaining a bizarre miscommunication that left tailback Chester Taylor believing he had been released when in fact he was expected at practice. You think of Angelo denying any wrongdoing when a draft-day trade with the Baltimore Ravens broke down without the Ravens realizing it.

Angelo is 62. He has two years remaining on his contract, but you wonder if the Hurd episode is enough to push him over the edge and at least consider retirement. His brief but fierce defense Friday suggested it won't. But perhaps he was the one whistling "Dixie" on that one.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears cut Sam Hurd on Friday, two days after the receiver was arrested on federal drug-dealing charges.

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LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- News of Sam Hurd's arrest on federal drug charges blindsided Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub, who made a strong push in the offseason for the organization to sign the former Dallas Cowboys special teams standout in free agency.

"We're all in a state of shock right now," Toub said after Thursday's practice.

Toub's interest in Hurd on the open market was due to the wide receiver recording 72 special teams tackles over five seasons with the Cowboys. Through 13 games this season, Hurd has eight special teams tackles and a forced fumble.

"He's been very valuable. He's been a four-phase starter for us," Toub said. "He's been the personal protect on punt team. He's been the captain of our punt team. It's going to take a little bit to replace him. We're all shocked, let's leave it at that."

Toub refused to tip his hand as to which exact player replaces Hurd on Sunday against Seattle, saying simply "it will be the next man up."

Just as in Dallas, Hurd's role on offense has been extremely limited. He has eight receptions for 108 yards.

Chicago Bears receiver Sam Hurd was arrested in Chicago on federal drug charges on Wednesday night.

According to Kathy Colvin, the spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Dallas, Hurd allegedly attempted to purchase drugs from a supplier in North Texas, the location of where the case will be adjudicated.

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CHICAGO -- With the regular season opener only nine days away, the Chicago Bears are playing it safe Thursday in the preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns.

As is typically the case in the fourth and final exhibition contest, Bears coach Lovie Smith is taking a cautious approach with players dealing with minor injuries.

Linebacker Lance Briggs (knee), defensive tackle Anthony Adams (calf), running back Marion Barber (calf), receiver Sam Hurd (ankle), tight end Kellen Davis (back), tight end Desmond Clark (knee), long snapper Patrick Mannelly and defensive end Corey Wootton (knee) are among those sidelined Thursday night.

Brian Iwuh will start in place of Briggs at weak-side linebacker, Matt Spaeth fills in for Davis at tight end, and rookie Jake Laptad will do the long snapping.

Veteran Chester Taylor is suited up and expected to see action, according to Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Martz. However, Taylor's days with the Bears appear to be numbered after the running back left the facility Monday following a private meeting with Smith.

Final cuts are due by Saturday at 5 p.m. CT.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears defensive tackle Anthony Adams, linebacker Lance Briggs, receiver Sam Hurd, defensive end Corey Wootton and cornerback Mike Holmes missed practice Wednesday as the team returned to Halas Hall in advance of the third preseason game in Tennessee on Saturday night.

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BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Chicago Bears receiver Sam Hurd hurt his lower left leg during the portion of practice that was held at a local high school after a power outage on the campus of Olivet Nazarene.

Hurd appeared to get tangled up with a defender while attempting to catch a pass over the middle.

The wideout had the ankle/foot portion of his left leg taped up by the training staff and attempted to test it out by running on it. However, a determination was quickly made that Hurd was done for the evening. Hurd spent the remainder of practice sitting on a cart with the lower leg wrapped in ice.

Bears head coach Lovie Smith downplayed the injury following the workout.

"Sam should be good to go," Smith said. "We have a couple of guys [a little banged up] this time in training camp but nobody is seriously injured."

Hurd is expected to be one of the Bears top special teams performers in the upcoming regular season.

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- Ratification of the new collective bargaining agreement allowed Chicago’s group of unrestricted free agent acquisitions to finally join their teammates Thursday night on the practice fields at Olivet Nazarene University.

Here’s a look at how the new additions performed during the session.:

Roy Williams: Williams worked with the first team through the majority of practice alongside Devin Hester. Williams ran crisp routes, displayed soft hands, and appeared to be faster than most expected. Williams slipped a couple of times early in practice. But in one-on-one drills Williams caught a slant route over Charles Tillman in one of the more physical matchups of the drill.

Williams also dropped a pass in 7-on-7 drills, but appeared to play better as the workout progressed.

Toward the end of practice, Williams tweaked a calf muscle, but it didn’t appear to be serious.

“I’m just getting old,” Williams joked.

Interestingly, though, Williams and Johnny Knox play the same position. Williams took the majority of the first-team reps throughout the practice, while Knox spent some time with the second group. Bears coach Lovie Smith said not to read too much into different lineups on the field at training camp, but the Williams-Knox situation is worth keeping an eye on.

Marion Barber: A fresh-legged Barber lived up to the “Marion the Barbarian” moniker during 9-on-7 drills, and even Smith said the running back “set the tone” with his physical play. During individual running back plays, Barber drew loud crowd reaction by a display of brute strength when he nearly toppled over a blocking sled during a step-and-punch drill.

Barber followed that by arguably the most exciting play of practice. On an off-tackle handoff, Barber barreled into a crowd, broke out, and clubbed Winston Venable out of the way before spinning the ball on the ground at the end of the run. The run prompted cheers from the crowd, as safety Chris Harris jokingly crawled on his knee towards Marion after the run. Smith, meanwhile, giddily ran back toward the huddle laughing at the end of the play.
It wasn’t all positive for Barber, however. Darting through the secondary on a run up the middle, Barber had the ball poked loose by a safety with the defense recovering.

Sam Hurd: Made a couple of acrobatic catches during the individual period, but also did pushups on occasion after dropping a couple of passes. Hurd received some reps with the starters during 7 on 7 and team drills. Lined up against Tim Jennings during 1 on 1s, Hurd watched a couple of balls thrown fairly high sail through his hands. During team drills, another high pass slipped through his hands with Craig Steltz coming up with the interception. Like Williams, Hurd seemed to improve as the practice progressed.

Chris Spencer: Received most of his action during the early 9-on-7 period, and displayed the athleticism he’s been touted for. Spencer’s propensity for nastiness had been scrutinized prior to his arrival, but the center looked tenacious on a few running plays during inside drills. Offensive-line coach Mike Tice said the plan was to gradually ease in Spencer, who spent Thursday night working with the second team.

Vernon Gholston: Gholston’s first night drew praise from Smith, who raved about the defensive end’s quickness. Gholston chased down Kahlil Bell on an outside run during 9-on-7 drills, and stopped the running back for a loss. But Barber ruined Gholston’s good play by smashing into the defensive end and knocking him back, before the running back broke through a pile of would-be tacklers. During one-on-ones between the offensive and defensive linemen, Gholston seemed to get the best of tackle Frank Omiyale throughout the drill.

Amobi Okoye: No surprises from Okoye, who similar to Gholston, put his quickness on display while working with both the starters and second team. Bears guard/center Roberto Garza struggled some plays to contain Okoye, who constantly seemed to get decent penetration during individual matchups between the offensive and defensive lines.

Matt Spaeth: Spaeth caught a pass later in practice during team drills, but obviously, that’s not why the Bears signed him. The team acquired him to block, and that’s exactly what he did on a running play during team drills. The tight end pancaked rookie Chris Conte, knocking the safety flat on his back.

Adam Podlesh: The new punter actually spent time covering kickoffs on the scout team as the Bears worked on their kickoff returns. The team didn’t spend time punting, so Podlesh didn’t get a chance to showcase his punting leg.

DALLAS -- If the Chicago Bears believe they’ll get much of an offensive boost from the three former Dallas Cowboys they signed, it certainly wasn’t based on the film from the teams’ meeting last season.

Running back Marion Barber rushed for 31 yards on 11 carries in the Cowboys’ 27-20 loss to the Bears, a typical performance for him last season. Roy Williams caught four passes for 53 yards, which was actually a very productive day by his Dallas standards. Sam Hurd didn’t catch a pass, as was the case in six other games last season.

Maybe Mike Martz, the man Williams considers the smartest offensive mind in the game, can work his magic on the former Cowboys.

Here’s what the Bears are getting based on the perspective of what the ex-Cowboys did for Dallas:

Barber: The man dubbed “Marion the Barbarian” by Terrell Owens still has a warrior’s heart, but his physical running style has taken a toll on his body. He played through a variety of nagging injuries the past two seasons, but he often didn’t play well. He especially struggled in 2010, when Barber rushed for only 374 yards on 113 carries. Barber was never a burner, but he has lost burst since his 2007 Pro Bowl campaign, when he rushed for a career-high 975 yards and 10 touchdowns. He still runs hard, but Barber doesn’t break nearly as many tackles as he did during his days as one of the league’s best backups.

Williams: The blockbuster trade bust not-so-subtly points the finger at Jason Garrett for his lack of production with the Cowboys, but Owens and Miles Austin managed to be Pro Bowl receivers in the same system. Williams’ biggest issues in Dallas were poor route running and inconsistent hands, which resulted in never earning the trust of Garrett and Tony Romo. As much as Jerry Jones hates to admit it, Williams wasn’t that productive in Detroit, either. He’s only had one 1,000-yard season, which came when he was coached by Martz.

Hurd: He’ll be one of the Bears’ special teams players. He’s strong and absolutely fearless, attributes that also make him a tremendous blocker for a receiver. Hurd was known for making acrobatic catches during training camp, but he never solidified a role in the Cowboys’ offense despite being considered even with Austin on the depth chart as recently as two summers ago.