The Chicago Bears will be without their safety blanket Matt Forte for the foreseeable future. According to head coach John Fox, the knee injury suffered by the running back is not expected to be season-ending, but it will leave the backfield empty for the short-term. While the Bears continue to eye free agent backs to help with the issue, Jeremy Langford is prepared to take over the starting role.
Langford will start in place of Forte, but he will not be expected to be the every-down back just yet. The fourth-round draft picks has carried the ball just 27 times this season for 80 yards total, but he does have two touchdowns to his name which is a positive sign for the Bears. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are very confident that Langford can hold down the rushing game with Forte out. According to tackle Kyle Long, fans will be pleased with what the rookie can do.
"Langford's a guy who can pick and choose from different guys' repertoires," Long said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. "He's a guy who can run very hard downhill with surprising burst that you see on film. Once he gets through the line, he can just shoot out there. So I think from a linear standpoint, you'll see a guy who's running downhill, and I think Bears fans will like it. I know I like the guy a lot. He runs hard, and he's a tough kid. He's a guy who's had a lot of success in his career, collegiately, and I don't see why it shouldn't be able to translate to the NFL level."
Langford will not be by himself in the backfield. Veteran Antone Smith is expected to see a lot of playing time on Monday as well. Smith had a breakout year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2014 before suffering a broken leg. He was then cut and signed by the Bears as he struggled to heal from the injury. Smith is dangerous on the field and has the ability to breakoff in a moment's notice. He is expected to be on the field over Ka'Deem Carey.
The Bears are still eyeing a signing to help with the loss of Forte. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Montee Ball is in Chicago meeting with former coach Fox and former offensive coordinator Adam Gase as the trio were all together in Denver. Ball would be a big upgrade in the backfield for the Bears and could have a major impact if signed.
Jay Cutler will likely rely on passing more than rushing in Week 9. Eddie Royal will be out, but Alshon Jeffery and Marquess Wilson are looking improved on the year as the quarterback play has improved. They are expected to have a big game against the San Diego Chargers.
