Dec. 07--Three days after welcoming a newborn son, Bears running back Matt Forte celebrated his return to the end zone Sunday. Forte's 5-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was his first since Oct. 18 and prompted him to cradle the ball and rock it like a baby.
"When I scored, I thought my family's probably watching," Forte said. "So I'm going to pretend like it's my baby at home."
NFL rules prohibit players from using the ball as a prop during celebrations, which is why back judge Tony Steratore approached Forte in the end zone.
"He asked me, 'Did you just have a baby?'" Forte said. "I said, 'Yes I did.' And he told me, 'All right. Because you can't use a prop (for the celebration).' He told me that's the last one."
Forte rushed 21 times for 84 yards during the Bears' 26-20 overtime loss to the 49ers.
The Bears divvied up 38 carries between three backs with Jeremy Langford (12 carries, 59 yards) and Ka'Deem Carey (five rushes, 17 yards) chipping in as well. Forte, who also had five catches for 39 yards, had little issue with the workload distribution.
"We ran the ball a lot," he said. "I'm pretty sure had it been just me with 30 or 40 carries, it would've been tough."
Cutler's brother-in-law missing: Utah authorities continue to investigate the recent disappearance of Michael Cavallari, the brother-in-law of Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Cavallari has been missing since Nov. 27 and, according to the Grand County Sheriff's Office, his 2014 Honda Civic was found abandoned off a road 5 miles south of Interstate 70.
A report from KSL.com in Utah indicated Cavallari's cellphone and laptop were still inside his vehicle with the airbags deployed. Asked about the matter Sunday, Cutler said the issue didn't impact his preparation.
"We stayed focused and (you) just get ready to play," he said.
Mood swings: Deonte Thompson was in position to be the Bears' hero, uncorking a 74-yard kickoff return with 1 minute, 42 seconds left in regulation. Carey had the key block to set Thompson free up the right sideline.
"It was blocked to perfection, man," Thompson said. "Just how we practiced (it)."
In a tie game, Thompson's burst to the 49ers 28 helped set up a 36-yard Robbie Gould field-goal attempt on the final play of regulation. Gould's miss, however, lessened Thompson's glory.
Take your pick: Defensive back Jimmie Ward, a Northern Illinois product, had a 29-yard interception return touchdown late in the first quarter. Ward perfectly read a quick pass to Alshon Jeffery after linebacker NaVorro Bowman identified the screen play before the snap.
"I knew the screen was coming and I jumped the ball," Ward said.
Cutler has had three interceptions returned for touchdowns this season and also lost a fumble in the end zone against the Chiefs in Week 5.
