Bears expect Urlacher to be ready for season opener

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears expect middle linebacker Brian Urlacher's strained right hamstring to be healed in time for him to start the season opener.

Urlacher, who was hurt in the Bears' first training camp workout Wednesday, has been diagnosed with a "moderate strain" and will be out four to six weeks, coach Lovie Smith said.

"Brian's a quick healer," the coach said. "We would like for it to be four, but we'll take him when we get him. I'm just excited that we're going to have him for that first game."

The four-time Pro Bowler pulled up during a scrimmage less than an hour into the first workout, which was without pads. Smith said the early injury to his star player would not change his plans to have full-contact practices.

"No one really touched him," Smith said. "It was just him running through a hole, he pulled his muscle like that. All the injuries we've had, they're just freak things that have happened."