LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Kyle Orton was selected to be the Bears’ starting quarterback by coach Lovie Smith on Monday.
Orton won the competition with Rex Grossman for the starting job.
Orton, a fourth-year player from Purdue, will start Thursday’s third preseason game against the 49ers and the Sept. 7 regular-season opener against the Colts.
“To come to a decision like that, we’ve taken a lot of things into consideration: last year, how (Orton) finished the season . . . training camp, preseason games,” Smith said. “In the end, it comes down to a gut feeling that you have.”
Brady’s status uncertain
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Patriots quarterback Tom Brady isn’t sure if a foot injury will sideline him for Friday’s game against the Eagles after he sat out the first two exhibition games. The injury is on the same leg but different from the right ankle injury the quarterback suffered in last season’s AFC championship game against San Diego, the NFL’s reigning MVP said.
“Just trying to be smart,” Brady said. “The preseason is important, but I think the idea is to be ready for when the regular season kicks off.”
Hasselbeck ready to go
RENTON, Wash. — Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck fully participated in a practice for the first time since his back stiffened 10 days ago and said he will play in Monday’s preseason game at San Diego.
“It is fine,” Hasselbeck said two days after he watched No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye play all of Seattle’s preseason win over Chicago. “If I felt stiff, it’s because I was standing around too much the last couple days.”
Footnotes.
Colts coach Tony Dungy said safety Bob Sanders (shoulder), the 2007 NFL defensive player of the year, and defensive end Dwight Freeney (foot), a former league sack champion, likely will be cleared for practice this week.
• Quarterback Derek Anderson left Cleveland’s exhibition game against the Giants early in the second quarter with what the team said was a possible concussion. Anderson was hurt as he was sacked by Osi Umenyiora. Former Bronco Domenik Hixon caught 11- and 24-yard touchdown passes and returned a free kick 82 yards for a touchdown in New York’s 37-34 victory.
• Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs reported to the team and began practicing after signing his $8.47 million, one-year tender. He’s expected to play about 15 snaps against the Rams on Saturday night.
• Tight end Jeremy Shockey, who broke his left leg in December, appears on track to make his Saints debut Saturday night in Cincinnati.
Also, the Saints signed former Pro Bowl safety Lance Schulters.
• The Dolphins released offensive lineman Steve McKinney three months after he signed as a free agent.
