While the Chicago Bears are not expected to get involved with the trade deadline like many had originally assumed, they are looking to make roster additions after injuries became an issue in Week 8. As the team continues to search for positive momentum, they need healthy bodies to do so, especially at the running back position where they could be adding someone in place of Matt Forte.
According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, the Bears are working out Montee Ball and could sign him this week. The running back has been sitting on the free agency market after getting buried on the Denver depth chart and then released despite being a second-round draft pick in 2013. Ball is healthy and could really be an asset for the Bears for both the short-term and long-term outlook of the team. Ball has plenty of experience with head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase, which is why the interest is high in bringing him to Chicago.
The Bears are preparing to be without Forte for the time being, but they do not expect the injury to be a season-ending issue. According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Forte's knee injury is a sprain and not a tear of some kind which gives Chicago hope that he can return sooner rather than later. Forte is not expected to be traded at the deadline on Tuesday considering he is now injured with a high-priced contract to his name. Of course a team could make a last-minute move to get the running back currently eighth on the rushing list this season, but it is unlikely.
If the Bears were to add Ball he would likely work in tandem with Jeremy Langford who is expected to start in place of Forte in Week 9. The Bears have a lot of confidence in the backup running back who will try and make up for the loss of the team's safety blanket.
While the Bears search for help at the running back position, they also need help at the receiver spot. Eddie Royal also went down with a knee injury in Week 8 which leaves him out for the time being. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Royal's injury is not season ending either and for the time being players like Marquess Wilson and Cameron Meredith will step up in his place. The Bears will prepare to play the San Diego Chargers on Monday Night Football in Week 9 as that team is also dealing with injuries.