Bears' Conte: 'It's About Taking Responsibility,' Moving On
(CBS) Bears safety Chris Conte remains on track to return during training camp in his recovery from offseason surgery on his right shoulder, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Conte told the Sun-Times the shoulder injury was an "ongoing" injury during a 2013 season in which he was unsteady and the Bears defense set franchise records for futility. He had surgery on March 26 and will miss all of the Bears' offseason activities.
When Conte returns, he understands the spotlight is on him. He was much maligned for a blown defensive assignment in the Bears' season finale that resulted in a game-winning Packers touchdown and kept Chicago out of the playoffs.
The Bears signed safeties Ryan Mundy and M.D. Jennings and also drafted Brock Vereen to add competition to a defensive backfield that needed it.
"I really don't need support from anybody," Conte told the Sun-Times. "It comes down to myself. It's not about support. It's about me taking care of stuff myself. Nobody is going to take care of you in this league. It's about becoming a man and taking responsibility for things and moving on."
In 2013, Conte finished third on the team with 95 tackles. He also had three interceptions.
Conte has appeared in 45 games and started 40 times in the past three seasons.