Even though he wasn't injured, Josh Beekman finished Thursday night's game on the sideline.

Beekman started against the 49ers and in the previous two games at left guard in place of Frank Omiyale, who started the first six games. But Omiyale was in the game for the final possession, which consisted of 11 pass plays.

"We just liked Frank's ability to pass block," coach Lovie Smith said. "We were in a different mindset there at the end of the game when we had to pass the football. We like Frank a little bit more in that situation."

Beekman said he practiced with the starters on Monday but declined to speculate beyond that.

"Coach [has] the final say," Beekman said. "So we'll see what happens and just come out and improve and get better."

Beekman's blocking helped spring Matt Forte for a total of 68 yards on two screen plays, but he's had trouble dealing with bigger tackles.

"I watched the tape, and I just have to do a little better battling big guys," Beekman said. "Olin [Kreutz] showed me some techniques [Monday] of bull rushing and things like that, and I was just working on that and getting better. That's my job.

"I had pluses and minuses [Thursday], but the ultimate job is to go out there and have no minuses, be like the Pro Bowlers that I play next to. That's the goal."

Beekman plays between six-time Pro Bowler Kreutz and seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace.