Although the Bears expect Brian Urlacher to play again during the preseason, they don’t expect the same of fellow linebacker Nick Roach.

Roach underwent an arthroscopic debridement on his left knee Tuesday morning, according to the team, but is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener against the Lions.

The calf strain that kept Urlacher out of practice on Monday didn’t cause much concern for Lovie Smith. Resting Urlacher would seem to be an option, but Smith told the Chicago Tribune that’s not his plan.

“If he’s healthy and ready to go, we will play him,” Smith said Monday. “Guys don’t want to take off. They want to get better every day. So if he’s healthy, he’ll practice and play.”

If Roach and Urlacher are both sidelined, Hunter Hillenmeyer and Pisa Tinoisamoa would be in line to start. With Roach out, Sean Jensen believes it may be all Tinoisamoa needs to win the starting job.

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