The Chicago Bears are one of the best teams in the NFC this year, but have had to deal with numerous injures to important players over the past few weeks.
Running back Matt Forte and linebacker Lance Briggs both suffered ankle injuries in last weekend's 28-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings, but are expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Forte has been at practice for two-straight days, although he was limited on Thursday. He left Sunday's game in the third quarter after rushing for 42 yards on 14 carries, but confirmed on Thursday that he expects to play.
"I do," Forte said when asked about playing, according to ESPNChicago.com.
Forte injured the same ankle in a 23-10 Week 2 loss to Green Bay, but was able to return after missing just one week even though the diagnosis was for longer.
"I've been doing a lot of different stuff, seeing the chiropractors, working on it, sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber and all that stuff," Forte said. "That seems to work pretty well. So I'll just continue to do what I did last time when I had the ankle injury."
This season Forte has rushed for 683 yards and three touchdowns and has added 27 receptions for 184 yards. He is usually a threat out of the backfield in the passing game, but is on pace for a career low this season.
"It's difficult right now to try to get involved (in the pass) when we're trying to establish the run so much," Forte said, according to CBSSports.com. "I think it will all come along. It doesn't matter when or how many catches I get. It just has to be effective. If we run the screen, just like when we played the Titans (47-yard play), I didn't catch a lot of balls, but if you get one big play out of it, that's getting involved in the passing game."
The offensive line has dealt with injuries in recent weeks and with guard Chris Spencer injured, Gabe Carimi was forced into action.
"It doesn't change my approach at all," Forte said to the Chicago Tribune. "You just have to trust those guys up front. ... If we make mistakes in the game, then go to the sideline and make adjustments so that we don't continue to make them."
Lance Briggs is dealing with an ankle injury as well, but will also play on Sunday against the Seahawks.
The linebacker suffered the injury in the fourth quarter against the Vikings and sat out of practice earlier this week. Briggs was listed on the injury report, but was able to participate in a limited practice on Thursday.
"I feel good, getting better every day, modern medicine," Briggs said, according to ESPNChicago.com. "In my short, little career, I guess I've missed a couple of games. I don't plan on missing this week."
According to ESPN.com, Briggs has missed only four games in his 10-year career and has played in every game since 2010.
"I just have been blessed. I feel lucky, you know?" Briggs explained as he knocked on the lectern. "(I'm) one of the guys that has made it 10 years and hasn't missed many games."
When asked about his durability, Briggs played coy.
"I don't know," Briggs said to the Chicago Tribune jokingly. "I drink apple juice usually every morning. Orchard Style."
This season Briggs has recorded a team-leading 80 tackles, six tackles for loss, two interceptions, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He has also made 48 solo tackles.
Wide receiver and kick returner Devin Hester was ruled out of Sunday's game with a concussion, while guard Chris Spencer will miss the game with a knee injury.
Cornerback Charles Tillman left the Vikings game with a foot injury, but participated in practice on Thursday and is likely to play against the Seahawks. Linebacker Brian Urlacher was given the day off on Thursday, while Alshon Jeffery did not participate in practice due to a knee injury.
"It'll be a while for Spencer," head coach Lovie Smith said, according to ESPNChicago.com. "We held out Brian Urlacher; he should be good to go tomorrow and Alshon Jeffery of course is out. The encouraging thing was the rest of the guys were able to at least do something on a limited basis. They made a lot of progress. Hopefully they'll continue to do that. We'll need everyone."
The Bears have one of the best defenses in the league, ranking in the top 10 in both rushing and passing defense. The team has lost two of the past three games, but had a six-game winning streak before falling to Houston 13-6 on Nov. 11.
Chicago is giving up only 96 rush yards per game, but will have a tough matchup with Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch, who is third in the NFL with 1,051 yards rushing this season.