BOURBONNIAS, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears' depleted defensive line absorbed another hit Thursday when defensive end Corey Wootton left the field before the conclusion of practice because of a hip injury.
Wootton is scheduled to undergo an MRI and is considered day to day, according to Bears coach Marc Trestman.
"He's got a ding in his hip," Trestman said. "We don't believe it's serious."
Wootton had a difficult time staying healthy his first two seasons in the NFL but had a breakout year in 2012 when he recorded seven sacks. The former fourth-round draft choice out of Northwestern had been having an excellent start to camp, solidifying himself in the starting rotation at defensive end, while also lining up inside at defensive tackle in the defense's nickel package.
"It definitely is a different feel going into camp," Wootton said last week. "I didn't know if I was going to make the team or not (last year). A lot of people were saying I was going to get cut. I really knew I had to prove myself. This year I approach it the same way. I've got to prove myself all over again, because every year in this league it doesn't matter what you did the year before, it's (what you are doing) currently. I'm just trying to improve, work every day and get better."
Wootton became the third defensive lineman to suffer an injury since the Bears arrived at camp nine days ago. The club terminated the contract of veteran Turk McBride after he ruptured his Achilles on Monday in just the second practice of camp conducted in full pads. Jamaal Anderson sat out Thursday because of a sore knee. The Bears also lost defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis at the start of camp when he decided to retire instead of report to Bourbonnais.
"We just have to get guys healthy," Bears defensive end Julius Peppers said. "It's early in camp, so fortunately, we've got a little time to get them healed up and back. We are going to need all of them."
In other injury news, left tackle Jermon Bushrod (calf), offensive tackle Jonathan Scott (knee) and linebacker Lance Briggs (rest) all missed Thursday's workout. Linebacker D.J. Williams (calf) did not practice and wore a walking boot.
Pro Bowl cornerback Tim Jennings was excused for a second consecutive day to tend to personal matters.