Pettway listened intently and is hoping for more of a chance to put some of the things he learned from "KGB" into use.

"I was fortunate to learn some stuff before he left," Pettway said. "I've been trying to work on some of what he taught me. Hopefully, I can get in there more and get into a rhythm."

Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings , Pettway was on the field for six plays as a third-down pass rusher - two of them penalty plays - getting just a taste of the action on defense he has been seeking. Since being signed off the street on Oct. 1, the 6-foot-3, 248-pound Pettway has been active for every game, mostly because of his solid play on special teams.

His performance on special teams and on defense put him ahead of Jason Hunter for a game-day roster spot Sunday and when ends Jeremy Thompson and Mike Montgomery needed a rest, Pettway got the call.

"We'd like to see more," defensive ends coach Carl Hairston said, referring to Pettway's performance against Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie. "But at least he got the quarterback's feet moving. I'd like to get him more reps, but I just couldn't get him out there because they were running the ball."

When the Packers face Chicago on Sunday, Pettway will get a lot more turns if Thompson has to sit out because of a groin injury. The coaches like the way he gets off the ball and want to further explore his talents as a speed rusher.

He got to do some of that in Jacksonville over two seasons there, but he was mostly just using his athletic ability to try to get around the corner on tackles. He has been on the field for just 20 snaps with Green Bay, which means he has had limited opportunity to improve.

"Pettway has definitely been getting a lot more work there, and I know the coaches are getting a lot more comfortable with him and his ability to attack the edge and so forth and just understanding our scheme," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's improved each week. He's done a very nice job of jumping in on special teams."

Free and clear: For the first time since injuring his shoulder Sept. 28 against Tampa Bay, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a full participant in practice.

Not only did he take part in the normal 11-on-11 drills, he participated in the individual drills during the walk-through portion of practice and was allowed to throw as needed. In one drill, the quarterbacks rolled out and threw 20-yard passes into a net with targets on it.

"He took everything today," McCarthy said. "I thought that was definitely a good sign, and hopefully that's where we are the rest of the season."

Rodgers will be evaluated this morning and if he's not sore, might practice in full again. He has been held back on Fridays in the past to allow the soreness from practicing to subside before game time.

He's available: Bears coach Lovie Smith told Chicago-area reporters he expected to have all of his players available Sunday.

That includes quarterback Kyle Orton, who missed the Tennessee game Sunday with a sprained ankle. Smith didn't declare he'll start, but it's hard to interpret it any other way.

"He's making progress each day," Smith said. "What more can I tell you? He missed last week. He's getting better. He practiced today. He's a lot better today than he was yesterday. I'm not trying to keep anything from you. That's what it is. I think if he continues to make the same type of progress, hopefully we'll have him available for Sunday. No more than that."

Practice makes perfect: Tackle Chad Clifton took part in practice for a second consecutive day, which is unusual for him. Normally, he goes through the walk-through and then goes up to the facility to do rehabilitation on his knees.

But after playing poorly against the Vikings, he took part in both 11-on-11 workouts, listed as a limited participant.

"I think part of us, offensively, we feel as a coaching staff we need a little more continuity," offensive coordinator Joe Philbin said. "That's one of the things we feel like slowed us down in the past. We want to be smart, obviously, and not grind the guy so he shows up taken out in an ambulance on the field Sunday so he can play."

Injury report: Thompson did not practice for a second straight day, participating only in the walk-through. McCarthy said he would know more today about whether he would be ready to play.

Cornerback/returner Will Blackmon (thigh) fielded punts and ran around some, but didn't do much else. Cornerback Jarrett Bush (ankle) did not practice and cornerback Charles Woodson (toe) just took part in the walk-through, as he normally does.

Bears backup right tackle Fred Miller (shoulder) missed practice.

Copyright 2008, Journal Sentinel Inc. All rights reserved. (Note: This notice does not apply to those news items already copyrighted and received through wire services or other media.)