As the Chicago Bears prepare for a pivotal NFC showdown against the Los Angeles Rams, there’s some concern about whether their starting running back will be ready for primetime.
Rookie David Montgomery popped up on the injury report Wednesday, where he was limited with an ankle injury. The fact that Montgomery missed Thursday’s practice is definitely concerning heading into a game where the offense really needs to establish the run game.
Coach Matt Nagy said Montgomery rolled his ankle during Wednesday’s practice.
Four other Bears players missed Thursday’s practice, including tight end Trey Burton (calf), linebacker Isaiah Irving (quad), linebacker Danny Trevathan (elbow) and newcomer to the injury report tight end Adam Shaheen (foot).
With Burton and Shaheen on the injury report, the Bears are thin at tight end, where Ben Braunecker and J.P. Holtz are currently the only healthy tight ends on the roster. Braunecker had success last week against the Detroit Lions, where he caught his first-career touchdown — a touchdown that jumpstarted three straight scoring drives.
Irving hasn’t practiced since before a Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, as he’s dealt with a quad injury sustained in that same game. His status will likely prompt linebacker James Vaughter’s promotion from the practice squad sometime this week.
There hasn’t been an update on Trevathan’s gruesome injury, and it’s no surprise that he didn’t participate in practice Thursday. Nick Kwiatkoski stepped in for Trevathan against the Lions, and the Bears will be looking for continued production from him.
