CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears suspended defensive tackle Tommie Harris for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions.

Coach Lovie Smith said yesterday that Harris broke a team rule, but he didn't immediately explain what it was.

"He'll continue to rehab but won't practice with the football team this week," Smith said. "Monday he'll be back with the team, hopefully ready to go and I'll kind of go from there."

Harris didn't play over the weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles due to a knee injury. But the three-time Pro Bowler had been expected to play in Detroit. Harris will be replaced by Israel Idonije, with defensive tackle Anthony Adams also getting playing time.

Smith said he met yesterday with Harris and told him of the suspension. Harris was not available for comment.

"It's always disappointing when you have to suspend one of your players, but nothing's bigger than the team, so we'll kind of move on from there," Smith said.

"Injuries happen, players don't play from time to time, you have to move on," he said. "We played last week without Tommie, so we've been in that situation before."

Harris received a $40 million contract extension before the season. Smith wouldn't say whether Harris will be paid through the suspension, but Harris will be allowed to continue rehabbing his knee this week at Halas Hall.

The Bears practiced without injured cornerbacks Charles Tillman (shoulder) and Nate Vasher (wrist) yesterday.

Without their top coverage corners, the Bears defense will need a better pass rush, but Harris has always been their best inside pass rush. He has two tackles and no sacks this season while struggling with the sore knee.

BILLS

EVANS SIGNS FOUR-YEAR, $37.25 MILLION EXTENSION

Having stuck it out through the tough times in Buffalo, receiver Lee Evans had no intention of leaving now that the Bills have begun to turn the corner with their fast start.

Looks like Evans will be around for quite a while longer when he signed a four-year, $37.25 million contract extension that locks him up through 2012 and prevents the Bills from losing him to free agency this offseason.

Under terms of the deal, Evans is guaranteed $18.25 million, representing a significant raise over the $2.25 million base salary he'll make this season, the final year of the rookie contract.

"It's really hard to put into words. I'm very excited," Evans told The Associated Press. "I really wanted to stay here. We have a great group of guys and a great organization to be a part of."

The deal is a renewed indication of the Bills' commitment to securing their core stars, and was struck at a time when AFC East-leading Buffalo (4-0) is off to its best start in 16 years in an attempt to end an eight-year playoff drought, the longest in franchise history.

EAGLES

WESTBROOK'S ANKLE INJURY GETTING BETTER

Philadelphia's All-Pro running back Brian Westbrook practiced for the second straight day yesterday, and the injured Eagles appear to be getting a little healthier.

Westbrook again participated in a limited fashion after sitting out last week with an ankle injury sustained in a Week 3 win over Pittsburgh, but his coaches were encouraged with his progress. The Eagles host Washington in an NFC East matchup Sunday.

"He looked better," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "He went through the walk through this morning and looked better. He's day to day, and we'll see."

Westbrook has five touchdowns (three rushing, two receiving) this year. Last season, he led the league with 2,104 yards from scrimmage and caught 90 passes while accounting for 12 touchdowns.

REDSKINS

SPRINGS WILL LIKELY JOIN TAYLOR ON SIDELINES

The Washington Redskins likely will be without two defensive starters — cornerback Shawn Springs and end Jason Taylor — for Sunday's NFC East game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Springs didn't practice yesterday because of a strained calf muscle. He joined Taylor as players receiving a pessimistic assessment from coach Jim Zorn.

"Just with his calf, it's not responding well yet," Zorn said. "The light is fading if we're expecting him to play on Sunday."

Taylor, who underwent emergency surgery to drain blood near his ankle last week, had a checkup yesterday.

"I'm ahead in some things, and not where I want to be in other things," said Taylor, whose consecutive games streak ended at 133 when he missed last week's win over Dallas. "But it's a day-to-day thing. I would have liked to have practiced today a little bit, but they've got to hold me back."

PACKERS

FLYNN UNDERGOES CRASH COURSE AT QUARTERBACK

It was Matt Flynn Day in Green Bay.

There weren't any banners flying or crowds gathering, just a heavy dose of practice repetitions aimed at getting the rookie backup quarterback as much work as possible in case he has to fill in for injured Aaron Rodgers on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

"The focus was to get Matt Flynn ready," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "I didn't even give Aaron any reps in the jog-through today because of that. I wanted to make sure that today Matt felt very comfortable, and (he) actually practiced very well. He did a nice job in the 2-minute (drill).

"We'll see where Aaron is tomorrow. But once again, even after tomorrow's practice, you still have another 48 hours before kickoff, so we do have some time."

McCarthy might be playing games with the Falcons, hoping they'll spend time preparing for two quarterbacks for no reason, or he might really be willing to wait to see whether the strength in Rodgers' shoulder returns sometime in the next two days. Rodgers could conceivably go into the game with no practice turns.

CARDINALS

BREASTON EAGER TO SHOW SKILLS AS RECEIVER, TOO

Steve Breaston speaks softly but carries a big grudge.

The speedster from Michigan has carved out a significant role as kick returner for Arizona. With Anquan Boldin probably out for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills, Breaston moves into the starting lineup at wide receiver.

It's his biggest opportunity yet to prove himself at the position he loves.

"It means a lot. I really feel that receiver is my primary position," Breaston said after yesterday's practice. "I just want to prove a lot of people wrong (that I'm more than just a returner."

In last week's 56-35 loss to the New York Jets, Breaston caught nine passes for 122 yards, both by far his career bests.

"Steve has come such a long way," said fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald. "I'm just happy for him."

CHARGERS

CHAMBERS PREPARES FOR RETURN TO MIAMI

Chris Chambers recently reflected back 12 months and couldn't suppress a laugh.

The San Diego Chargers receiver was talking about playing for a Super Bowl contender and recalling how a year ago he was employed by a team representing the other side of the spectrum.

Back then he was playing for the lowly Miami Dolphins and he wasn't exactly envisioning a memorable season.

"Win a game," said Chambers, expressing amusement as he reminisced. "Just win one game."

The Dolphins did win one game last season and that came well after Chambers received a welcome reprieve by being traded to the Chargers in mid-October.

Now Chambers returns to Miami for the first time as an opposing player when the Chargers (2-2) meet the Dolphins (1-2) on Sunday.

"I'm very excited," Chambers said this week. "That definitely is my goal — to get in the end zone and have a little fun. Hopefully, I can get in there. I'm looking forward to playing these guys."

NOTES

Vikings: Minnesota will probably be without standout middle linebacker E.J. Henderson for Monday's game against New Orleans. The swelling in Henderson's two dislocated toes has not subsided since he suffered the injury to his left foot in Sunday's game against Tennessee. He is wearing a walking boot to immobilize his foot and was not at practice yesterday.

Saints: Starting defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis left practice yesterday to have his right knee examined. "He felt it kind of click on him, so we sent him in to have it looked at," Saints coach Sean Payton said following practice. "Hopefully, it's nothing serious."