The Chicago Bears let running back Chester Taylor go, bringing an expected end to a wild chain of events.

The Bears terminated the veteran’s contract along with tight end Desmond Clark’s while paring their roster to 53 before Saturday’s deadline.

They also waived defensive tackle Marcus Harrison.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

BOURBONNAIS — While a few of the Bears starting players said they figure to get the normal 10-15 snaps in Saturday’s preseason opener in Soldier Field against the Bills, head coach Lovie Smith would not tip his hand Thursday.

“We haven’t told them yet. … It will be pretty much along the lines that we normally do,” Smith said. “We’re not going to do too much — it’s the first game. We’ll work our way up to that third game.”

Linebacker Lance Briggs wasn’t sure how much work he’d get Saturday, but he did know that it’s not how many, but how good.

“I don’t know about that. I don’t know about more,” Briggs said when asked whether he expected to play longer than usual Saturday night. “It’s about quality reps. Quality reps, all right.”

Knox does not want out
Wide receiver Johnny Knox refuted reports that he was seeking a trade from the Bears after being demoted to the fourth wideout on Chicago’s first depth chart of the year, released Wednesday.

“No, not at all. I’m a Bear and I want to stay a Bear. I didn’t say nothing about wanting to be traded,” Knox said. “I want to finish here, and I do not want to be traded.”

A report came out Wednesday that Knox was frustrated and wanted out of Chicago after learning he had moved down the chart. He’s listed behind Roy Williams, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett.

WR coach shows frustration
Wide receiver’s coach Darryl Drake was upset over a story about Knox, and he went on a bit of a tirade outside the Olivet Nazarene University dining hall in front of several reporters Thursday.

“If you guys keep making this stuff up and bringing this stuff up,” Drake said. “You’re going to have to deal with me.”

He finished with a brief, but profanity-laden, statement that showed his disapproval in the recent story, he said was written by Chicago Tribune reporter Brad Biggs.
Hester has Cutler’s back

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler had two more interceptions during offense-vs.-defense drills in Thursday’s training camp practice, and he’s had a sporadic (at best) stretch the past four days of practice. Still, Devin Hester, who’s been his best wide receiver in camp this year, had his back.

“It’s a unit thing; when one guy messes up his assignment it throws the whole play off,” Hester said. “If everybody does what they’re supposed to do, there will be guys open and it will be easier for Jay to get it to them.”

Reach staff reporter Jay Taft at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.