Dirk digs former Bears safety Conte
Former Bears safety Chris Conte “might have turned our season around” when he intercepted Jay Cutler’s pass last year and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown, Buccaneers coach Dirk Koetter said Wednesday.
The Bucs beat the Bears 36- 10 in their ninth game and went 6- 2 in the second half of the season.
Conte will be starting his third season in Tampa after spending four tumultuous years in Chicago.
“Chris has done an excellent job down here,” Koetter said. “He’s got the cover skills of a corner and the size of a safety. He can play strong safety, he can play free safety. If you need him to, he can be a major contributor on special teams.
“He’s smart. He’s durable. And we’re big fans of Chris. And we’re glad he’s on our side.”
Loggains feels for White
Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has talked to wide receiver Kevin White every day since White broke his left shoulder blade Sunday.
“You really hurt for the kid because he’s worked his tail off and has gone through so much in his career,” Loggains said. “You know how important it is. Just being heartbroken because he feels like
TEXANS AT BENGALS
Time: 7: 25 p. m., NFL Network. Line: Bengals by 6 . Total: 38. Records ( Overall/ ATS): Texans 0- 1/ 0- 1; Bengals 0- 1/ 0- 1. Outlook: Both teams must rebound after flopping in openers. But the Texans are in the bigger bind, with QB issues already after Bill O’Brien benched Tom Savage after 31 plays. Deshaun Watson wasn’t any better, but he’s expected to start. The Texans lost LB Brian Cushing to a 10- game suspension. Andy Dalton threw 4 INTs in a 20- 0 loss to the Ravens — an alarming implosion for a QB who threw only 8 INTs in 2016. He can’t be that bad two games in a row. Short week should favor the home team. Mark Potash’s pick: Bengals 24, Texans 14. being hurt, you let down the team, you’re not out there with your teammates in the most critical situation when they need you.”
Loggains said the Bears will be there for White — who was put on injured reserve for the third time in three seasons — and vice versa.
“Kevin’s going to be supporting his guys, and he’s still going to be part of the team,” Loggains said.
Amukamara, Howard limited
Cornerback Prince Amukamara returned to practice for the first time since injuring his right ankle on the first play of the third preseason game. The Bears listed him as limited. They did the same with running back Jordan Howard, who landed awkwardly on his shoulder against the Falcons. Coach John Fox didn’t sound concerned about Howard’s game status Monday.
Wide receiver Markus Wheaton ( surgery on left pinkie) and guard Kyle Long ( right ankle) were limited, too. They held that designation in all three practices last week.
This and that
Safety Adrian Amos missed practice for personal reasons, and running back Benny Cunningham was out with an ankle injury.
Linebacker Christian Jones ( back) and safety Deon Bush ( hamstring) were newcomers to the limited list.
Outside linebacker Pernell McPhee was a full participant for the first time since coming off the physically unable- to- perform list Sept. 2.
Follow me on Twitter @ patrickfinley.