Conte (shoulder) will not return to Sunday's game against the 49ers, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Conte's strong IDP start has been put on pause, with Danny McCray now taking most of the snaps at free safety. Prior to his exit, Conte made a beautiful diving interception, his second pick in two games this season, following a lousy 2013.

Conte left Sunday's game against the 49ers with a shoulder injury, and he is questionable to return, NFL on ESPN reports.

Conte, who had seven tackles (five solo) and an interception in Week 1, picked off his second pass of the season before leaving Sunday's game. Opponents know to challenge him, which could lead to a surprisingly productive IDP campaign.

Conte (concussion) collected seven tackles and recorded an interception in Sunday's season-opening loss to the Bills.

After he was limited to just one game in the preseason, it wasn't certain whether or not Conte would even play in Week 1, let alone start for the Bears. He ended up producing an effective line Sunday, but will probably be remembered for being at the receiving end of a pair of powerful stiff arms on a 38-yard run by the Bills' Fred Jackson in overtime, which effectively salted the win away for the road team. Even so, it looks like the Bears will continue to trot out Conte as their starter at free safety, with Danny McCray assuming a reserve role.

Conte (concussion) is active and will start at free safety in Sunday's opener against the Bills, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Conte's availability wasn't in much question after he was able to return to practice in a full capacity Thursday, but the appointment to a starting role was uncertain until Sunday's announcement. However, because Conte missed much of training camp while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and appeared in only one preseason contest because of the concussion, he could still face limited reps in Week 1. Look for Danny McCray to see some time at free safety as a result, but Conte's superior athleticism likely makes him the favorite to eventually tighten his grasp on the starting role. Though Conte remains occasionally suspect in coverage, he still managed to provide decent IDP production in 2013, churning out 89 tackles and three interceptions over his 16 starts.

Conte (concussion) has been cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Bills.

Moreover, Conte was immediately a full participant in practice Thursday, so he appears poised to be active in the opener. It remains to be seen, though, if he'll assume free safety in the starting defense.

Conte (concussion) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

With the Bears choosing not to name Danny McCray as their starter at free safety yet, it seems the club plans to have Conte assume that role if he does receive clearance to play Sunday against the Bills. Conte's lapses in coverage were well-documented last season, but his all-around athleticism probably makes him the team's top starting option next to Ryan Mundy if he's healthy.

Making his preseason debut Friday against the Seahawks, Conte finished with a tackle and passed defensed but left the game in the third quarter with a concussion, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Conte disrupted a would-be Seattle touchdown by laying a big hit on tight end Luke Wilson to break up a reception, but he might have paid the ultimate price for the blow. With Conte missing the first two preseason games while recovering from shoulder surgery, this latest setback will likely ruin his chances of beating out Danny McCray or Ryan Mundy for either of the starting jobs at safety.

Conte (shoulder) was removed from the Bears' PUP list and began practicing on Sunday, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Conte is nearly five months removed from having shoulder surgery in late March, a procedure that limited him throughout the offseason. Now cleared to practice, Conte faces stiff competition for slotting at safety, where the Bears have added Ryan Mundy, Adrian Wilson, Danny McCray, M.D. Jennings, and Brock Vereen since last season. With that depth, Conte may be forced to battle for a roster spot once he's able to resume full team activities.

Conte (shoulder) is expected to receive clearance to practice soon, ESPN Chicago's Michael Wright reports.

Conte was placed on the PUP list prior to camp while recovering from shoulder surgery, but has started to slowly approach full health in recent days. He was working on catching balls at the JUGS machine prior to Wednesday's session, and could soon incorporate more activities into his workouts. The Bears have likely already ruled Conte out of the Aug. 8 preseason opener, and he'll have a lot of ground to make up if he hopes to beat out ascendant rookie Brock Vereen and a host of other veterans for a starting safety job.

Bears placed FS Chris Conte (shoulder) on the active/PUP list.

Conte had shoulder surgery in April and is now behind the eight ball after a horrific 2013 season. Rookie Brock Vereen will take the first-team reps while Conte is sidelined. Ryan Mundy and Adrian Wilson will handle strong safety.

Bears coach Marc Trestman admits FS Chris Conte (shoulder) may not be ready for the start of training camp.

Conte underwent extensive shoulder surgery in early April. After a poor season, Conte's starting job is in serious doubt with the Bears preparing rookie Brock Vereen for his role. Conte's tenuous recovery is likely one of the reasons GM Phil Emery is taking a shot on 34-year-old SS Adrian Wilson.

ESPN Bears' reporter Michael C. Wright believes FS Chris Conte will retain his starting role this season.

After being one of the weakest links in a horrendous run defense last season, Conte was certainly not assured a starting role this year. With the Bears failing to add an impact safety this offseason, though, Conte still has the upper hand in the camp battle to come. He will only have to fend off the underwhelming MD Jennings and rookie S Brock Vereen to keep his spot. Conte is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery but should be ready to go by the first preseason game.

The Bears expect S Chris Conte (shoulder) to be available for the first preseason game.

Bears S Chris Conte has undergone shoulder surgery, and will be sidelined 4-5 months.

The timeline leaves Conte highly questionable for training camp. He'll likely start out on the active/PUP list. It's a major setback for a player who's supposedly "in the mix" to start despite a rough 2013. Going into the final year of his rookie contract, Conte's injury has probably sewn up a spot on the bench.

Bears GM Phil Emery says S Chris Conte will remain in the mix for a starting job in 2014.

Conte was woefully ineffective last season, but the Bears aren't ready to give up on the 2011 third-rounder just yet. Of course, that could easily change depending on what they do in free agency and the draft. Even if the Bears stand pat, Conte will have to earn his job in camp.

Bears FS Chris Conte exited Sunday night's Week 16 game with a head injury.

Conte is being evaluated for a possible concussion. His return is questionable.

Bears FS Chris Conte (dislocated shoulder) has resumed practicing on a limited basis this week.

Conte is trying out a harness to protect his right shoulder, but he may need another week to get healthy. Craig Steltz will fill in as the starter if Conte's shoulder isn't deemed ready for game action.

Bears FS Chris Conte's shoulder injury has been diagnosed as a dislocation.

Although no surgery has been planned, Conte's status for the season opener is now up in the air. The Bears will likely turn to veteran Craig Steltz if Conte misses time.

Bears FS Chris Conte will be out "a while" after suffering a shoulder injury in Saturday's preseason game against the Redskins.

"His shoulder's a little sore right now," coach Lovie Smith said Monday. Reserve S Brandon Hardin is day-to-day with a neck injury. It sounds like Conte could still be ready for Week 1, but Craig Steltz should start opposite Major Wright if he isn't.

FS Chris Conte (foot) is expected to participate fully in the Bears' offseason program, which began Monday.

Conte nearly suffered a dreaded Lisfranc injury last December, but ended up with a much more conventional sprain. "Instead of tearing it, the space between the bones just widened at little bit," Conte explained. "They just casted it and it healed." A nine-game starter as a rookie last season, Conte should be penciled in as the Bears' free safety.