The Chicago Bears will look to win two games back-to-back since the 2021 season as they host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday at Soldier Field. Following the team’s victory over the Washington Commanders last Thursday, Chicago is dealing with a lengthy injury report heading into this week’s game. Against the Commanders, the Bears finished the game with all three of their running backs sidelined with injuries, which could lead to backup D’Onta Foreman having a significant role against the Vikings with recent history being on his side.
Bears’ Back Up Running Backs Have Thrived When Forced To Start Due To Injury.
Foreman was one of general manager Ryan Poles’ significant offseason signings to help improve Chicago’s offense as the team needed depth at the half-back position. Although Chicago already had starting running back Khalil Herbert, depth at the position was needed as Herbert missed several games in 2022 with injuries. Foreman had a breakout season with the Carolina Panthers last season, as he rushed for over 900 yards and recorded five 100-yard rushing games.
Although expected to be a contributor to Chicago’s rushing offense in 2023, Foreman has only played in one game this season and has been a healthy inactive since Week 2. With Herbert, Roschon Johnson, and Travis Homer all injured against the Commanders and still battling those injuries this week, it is likely that the former Panthers’ running back will be the starting running back for the Bears against the Vikings on Sunday.
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Recent history favors Foreman as former Bears’ backup running backs have had explosive performances when forced to start due to an injury to a starter. The most recent occasion came back in 2021 during Herbert’s rookie season with Chicago. With injuries to David Montgomery and Damien Williams at the running back position, the rookie was forced to start in Week 6 against the Packers.
Herbert impressed instantly as he rushed for nearly 100 yards, scored a touchdown, and had a rushing attempt of 25 yards in the loss to Green Bay. The rookie running back would follow up his first start with an even more productive day a week later against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rushing for 100 yards and collecting a 29-yard run.
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In 2016, injuries hurt Chicago’s running back position early in the season, as the team was forced to start their third-string running back in rookie, Jordan Howard. Howard rushed for over 111 yards in a win over the Detroit Lions and would cement himself as the Bears’ starting running back for the remainder of the season, rushing for over 1,300 yards while being named to the Pro Bowl. The former Indiana Hoosier standout would rush for over 2,500 yards in his first two years in the NFL.
One year earlier, Chicago would utilize another rookie running back as their starter due to injury when Pro Bowl back Matt Forte missed several games in 2015. In Week 9 against the San Diego Chargers, the Bears relied on rookie Jeremy Langford, who rushed 70 yards, recorded 70 receiving yards, and a touchdown in a win. Langford proved to be a reliable back for the remainder of the 2015 season after starting against the Chargers.
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Foreman Has A Massive Opportunity To Succeed With The Bears’ Recent Success On Offense
Despite not having a healthy running back to finish the game against the Commanders, the Bears offense still managed to be highly productive. Although most of the offensive success came in the passing game with quarterback Justin Fields and wide receiver D.J. Moore, Chicago’s running backs also found success last Thursday night. Herbert rushed for 77 yards on just ten carries before being knocked out of the game with an ankle injury.
On Sunday against the Vikings, Foreman will be aided by Chicago’s new offensive line as it is likely that the interior line will feature Tevin Jenkins, Cody Whitehair, and Nate Davis who will have had ten days to work together after playing together for the first time all season against Washington. An improved offensive line and a hot passing offense will lead to bigger running lanes for Chicago’s projected starting running back.
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Another reason why Foreman could be in line for success against the Vikings is because Minnesota’s offense could be slowed by injuries. All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson was placed on injured reserve earlier this week and will miss the next four games. Additionally, first-round wide receiver Jordan Addison is battling an injury also. If Minnesota’s offense can’t perform at their best, Chicago’s offense could look to have a ball-controlled gameplan, which would result in a significant amount of rushing attempts for Foreman.
Btw, we might want to keep Jaylon Johnson. I realize Stevenson is a rookie but he’s been horrible.
If Edmunds, Davis, Patrick, Velus, Gordon and Tonyan start earning their money we’ll have something.
Hi