One of the reasons the Bears did not spend a draft choice last month on an offensive lineman was that they see themselves as getting two No. 1 picks in for the 2012 season.
Gabe Carimi (2011s No. 1) was lost six quarters into his rookie season with a knee injury. Chris Williams (2008s) went down with a wrist injury in the ninth game.
Both are expected to be ready not only for the season but also for work before that.
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Carimi said Saturday night at the black-tie Bears Care Gala charity event that he is hoping to be ready for the organized team activities beginning in two weeks and definitely for the veterans minicamp set for mid-June.
If we continue our progress, we should be doing minicamps, Carimi said. Im going to be in the mix. Theres never any promises. Its just getting healthy and getting back out there, thats the important thing.
Carimi is expected to open as the starting right tackle, where he was rated as the Bears best offensive lineman early last season.
Williams is a flex factor, a former tackle who settled at guard the past two seasons but whose future is projected to be back at tackle because of the cluster of experienced options at guard (Lance Louis, Chilo Rachal, Chris Spencer, Edwin Williams).