LAKE FOREST - Just to be clear, Brett Favre apparently has not offered Kyle Orton any tips or encouragement to play this week when the Chicago Bears visit the rival Green Bay Packers. The quarterback doesn't need encouragement, anyway. He needs his sprained right ankle to heal. | U Pick 'Em | NFL page

To that end, Orton said it's "getting better everyday'' and he's "preparing like I am'' going to play Sunday. He's just not sure he will.

The same goes for former starter Rex Grossman.

"I am preparing as if I'm going to play,'' he said Wednesday.

Will he?

"They haven't told me anything,'' Grossman said.

So the mystery continues - probably until Sunday, although coach Lovie Smith said there's "a good chance'' Orton will play if "he makes progress like he has.''

Carted off the field near the end of the first half of Chicago's win over Detroit on Nov. 2, Orton told the coaches before last week's game against unbeaten Tennessee that he could not go. So they went with Grossman, who was off target in a 21-14 loss after a shaky second half against Detroit.

Whoever lines up behind center this week could be in for a difficult game considering the Packers rank third against the pass and lead the league with 16 interceptions. And the same goes for Chicago's receivers.

After all, Packers safety Nick Collins and cornerback Charles Woodson lead the league with five interceptions, and cornerback Tramon Williams is right behind them with four. They're quick, physical.

"We've got quick, fast receivers as well,'' Grossman said. "Obviously, we want to be careful with the football, but we're going to challenge them at the same time.''

It's just not clear which quarterback will "challenge them.''

Orton laughed when someone asked in jest if a certain Green Bay legend had called to encourage him to play this weekend.

Favre might not have been amused, considering a report earlier in the season said he gave Detroit coaches inside information on the Packers' offense. He denied it before acknowledging he talked to then-Lions general manager Matt Millen, although he said he did not provide any info.

Whoever starts for the Bears probably could use a few tips, given the Packers' success against the pass.

Coach Lovie Smith gave his usual injury answer when asked about Orton, saying, "He's getting better each day.''

Does Orton need to be 100 percent to play?

"That's pretty strong,'' Smith said. "Who is 100 percent? We won't let Kyle play if he can't protect himself.''

Smith said the decision won't be a tough one.

"We have a great medical staff,'' he said. "Kyle knows his body well. We'll know at the end whether he's ready to play.''

The odds of Orton playing anytime soon did not look good when he left the Detroit game, but tests showed no structural damage. Any limp he had disappeared within a few days, although he has been wearing a protective sleeve on his foot.

The Bears said he even practiced on a limited basis Friday and was able to do more on Wednesday.

"He came out here and did something for the first time,'' offensive coordinator Ron Turner said. "We're anxious to see how he feels tomorrow.''

He said Orton was able to drop back and "threw the ball well.''

Which is something Grossman did not do well against Tennessee. Or Detroit.

While Orton is having a breakout season, the man he beat for the starting job in the preseason is doing little to prove the Bears made the wrong choice.

Although he threw for one touchdown and sneaked in for another against Detroit, Grossman was just 9-for-19 with 58 yards and an interception. He got off to a good start last week, capping the Bears' first drive with a touchdown pass, but couldn't keep it going.

He wound up 20-for-37 with 173 yards, an interception and 64.4 rating in his first start.

"The more you play, the more comfortable you feel,'' Grossman said. "After having two-plus months off, having back-to-back weeks of playing will only help. If that's the case, I'll be looking forward to improving on last week.''

He understands his odds of starting are slimmer this week, with Orton's ankle improving.

If Orton starts, he doesn't expect the Packers to blitz more than usual even though his mobility might be limited.

"This defense does what they do,'' he said. "They've done it well. They're a good defense, have great players. I don't think the status of my ankle is going to change their gameplan at all.''

Notes: WR Brandon Lloyd, who practiced last week but missed his fifth game with a sprained ligament in his left knee, said he was ready to play last week but the coaches decided to go with rookie Earl Bennett. "It was more of a strategy decision as opposed to what people say was a disciplinary decision,'' said Lloyd, who's been out longer than expected. "Earl Bennett plays on special teams, where I would be filling that spot just playing on offense. It was more of a strategy thing.''