THE SIDELINES : Bears’ Ailing Tomczak May Play

Quarterback Mike Tomczak is recovering from a rib muscle injury and may be able to play in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka says.

Ditka said Wednesday that the remaining two games will give the coaching staff a chance to evaluate quarterback Jim Harbaugh, who will get the starting assignment Sunday. He said Tomczak had partially recovered from the rib muscle injury he suffered when he was sacked Sunday in the Detroit game and could be used, if necessary, against the Packers.

The Bears’ depth chart lists tight end James Thornton as the No. 3 quarterback in case Harbaugh should go down and Tomczak would be too sore to play. Thornton switched from quarterback to tight end during his freshman season at Cal State Fullerton.