chicago bears

Running back Cedric Benson signed Tuesday with the Cincinnati Bengals, who needed another runner and were undeterred by two alcohol-related arrests in Texas that prompted the Chicago Bears to let him go.

Benson will take the spot of running back DeDe Dorsey, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after hurting his hamstring in a 20-12 loss to Cleveland.

Donovan McNabb returned to practice Friday, but the Eagles could be without Brian Westbrook for Sunday's game at the Chicago Bears.

McNabb was a full participant in Friday's practice after sitting out all week with a chest contusion he sustained in the first half of last week's 15-6 win over Pittsburgh.

Kyle Orton will start as the Chicago Bears opening day quarterback - beating Rex Grossman in a competition that lasted through training camp and two preseason games.

The Bears open the regular season on Sept. 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Orton started 15 games in 2005 and three last season.

He's thrown for more than 2,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career. Grossman led the Bears to the Super Bowl after the 2006 season, but has been often criticized for committing turnovers.

Kyle Orton will start as the Chicago Bears opening day quarterback -- beating Rex Grossman in a competition that lasted through training camp and two preseason games.

The Bears open the regular season on Sept. 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Orton started 15 games in 2005 and three last season.

He's thrown for more than 2,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in his career.

Star kick returner Devin Hester was at Chicago Bears training camp Friday, although there was no word if signed a contract.

Hester skipped the first practices this week as a holdout. He has two years remaining on his initial deal. Bears spokesman Scott Hagel said he doesn't know if Hester will practice.

Hester, a two-time Pro-Bowler, also played wide receiver last season. He was the Bears' second round-draft pick in 2006.

The Chicago Bears signed defensive tackle Tommie Harris to a four-year contract extension on Thursday that runs through the 2012 season.

The team declined to release financial terms of the deal, but Harris planned to speak about the new deal during a news conference Friday morning.

The 25-year-old Harris is a three-time Pro Bowl selection.

Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson believes officers used excessive force against him and plans to fight charges he operated a boat while intoxicated and resisted arrest on a Texas lake over the weekend.

"He denies that he was intoxicated," attorney Brian Carney said Monday. "He denies that he resisted arrest." Benson is scheduled to appear in Travis County Court on May 19 to face charges stemming from an incident Saturday night.