The Bears work out punters every week, Halas Hall sources say. But after another subpar performance by Adam Podlesh, the sight of three or four punters working out on the practice field at Halas Hall on Wednesday morning had a little more significance.

After Podlesh averaged 38.8 yards gross and net on five punts against the Houston Texans on Sunday night, the Bears are 27th in the NFL in gross punting and 21st in net punting.

Podlesh suffered a hip-flexor injury in the preseason but has not missed a regular-season game -- though the Bears did keep rookie Ryan Quigley on the roster for Week 1 just to make sure Podlesh was OK.

Podlesh set a franchise record with a 40.4-yard net average last season, his first with the Bears after four with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has not punted as well this season, but the Bears have not felt the impact as much because of excellent coverage units. The Bear are third in the NFL in punt coverage, allowing 4.6 yards per return.