Bears Blitz

So much for cornerback Corey Graham switching positions and beating out Craig Steltz as the Bears’ starting free safety.

Graham will likely be slated for cornerback duties when practices begin Friday because starter Charles Tillman is out until at least the regular season following disc surgery performed two weeks ago.

Tillman will go on the pre-season “physically unable to perform” list at the outset of training camp. The Bears will be able to bring another player onto the roster as a result.

If Tillman doesn’t recover by the time the regular season is set to begin, the Bears will have the option of putting him on the actual PUP list. Then he would not be able to return until the seventh week of the season.

If they think he might not be ready for the opener, but shortly afterward, they could also just leave him off the PUP list entirely.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times, Tillman’s specialist told him the recovery could take from six weeks to three months.

It’s Tillman’s second off-season surgery. He had January surgery to repair his right shoulder after a 2008 season in which he suffered injuries to both shoulders. He returned to participate in organized team activities a week before they ended, but then missed the final week.

The Bears drafted cornerback D.J. Moore and cornerback Zack Bowman earned high praise from coach Lovie Smith for his work during OTAs. Bowman spent most of his time practicing with starters in OTAs, mostly when Tillman was sidelined.

Veteran Trumaine McBride is another option besides Bowman and Graham.

Graham started nine games last season for either Tillman and Nate Vasher, who had hand and wrist surgery. Graham has one career interception.

McBride has 45 career tackles in two seasons, but has been mostly a special teams player.