Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris returned to practice for the Chicago Bears on Monday, providing relief and optimism to a position severely thinned by defections and suspension.

Harris had been sidelined since December by a hamstring injury that kept him out for the final month of the season and the playoffs. He underwent surgery in December to repair a torn left hamstring tendon and was cleared late last week by the Dallas surgeon who performed the procedure to return to the practice field.

His return to practice was first reported Monday evening by the team's Web site.

Although he is not yet at full speed, Harris said his left leg is strong and he anticipates no problem being recovered for the start of training camp late next month.

"It felt good and I wasn't even pushing it really hard yet," Harris said after an organized team activities session.

The team's first-round draft choice in 2004, Harris, although only 24, generally is acknowledged as one of the NFL's premier interior linemen, and he was voted to a second straight Pro Bowl appearance despite playing in only 12 games in 2006. In those dozen appearances, the former Oklahoma star had 48 tackles and five sacks.

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