Tillman out with injury to shoulder

None of the Bears' defensive players looked particularly indispensable Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, but if the team can ill afford to lose one, it might be cornerback Charles Tillman.

The veteran left the game in the second quarter with a shoulder injury. Tillman was quick to return from injuries to both shoulders last season but had reconstructive surgery on his right shoulder in January, his second shoulder surgery in four years.

The Bears have used him to match up on the opponent's top wide receiver for more than a month now, though that experience didn't work so well against Larry Fitzgerald, who finished with nine receptions for 123 yards and caught two touchdown passes while Tillman was still in the game. The Bears considered bringing in some veteran help at the position but chose to go with what they had, and then Tillman required back surgery in July.

Replacing him was Corey Graham, who started nine games last season, mostly in the place of Nathan Vasher.

''Of course, I am comfortable doing it,'' Graham said. ''I did it last year. It's not like anything different or anything new to me. You have to step up and make some plays.''

The Bears moved Zack Bowman to the position where he was trailing Fitzgerald and had Graham handle the other role. Vasher could be considered for the duty if Tillman is out, but he's now playing free safety in the nickel package.