Manumaleuna shelved after surgery

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LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears kicked off minicamp Friday with several notable players watching from the sidelines.

The team announced that tight end Brandon Manumaleuna and receiver Earl Bennett underwent minor offseason knee operations, which kept Manumaleuna from participating in the workout and limited Bennett.

"Don't have a timetable [on Manumaleuna's return] per se, again we've got OTAs coming up," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "It's just a little minor scope with him. Hopefully we can get some of those guys, Earl Bennett and players like that, back before long."

With Manumaleuna sidelined, Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark both took reps with the first team at tight end Friday morning.

Bennett sounded optimistic that he would soon be cleared for full participation.

"[I'll be back] pretty soon," Bennett said. "I'm working my way back running routes, getting into the swing of things and getting back into that huddle. I think things are coming along pretty well."

Defensive tackle Marcus Harrison, center Olin Kreutz, defensive tackle Tommie Harris, and punter Brad Maynard also skipped the first workout of minicamp, while linebacker Nick Roach was limited.

According to Smith, Harrison is out due to illness, but Harris will participate in the afternoon session. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, like Harris, is expected to be limited to one workout a day.

Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN Radio 1000.

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Jeff Dickerson | email

Chicago Bears beat reporter

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Dickerson has been the Bears beat reporter for ESPN Chicago since 2004. He also hosts weeknight radio shows on ESPN 1000.