David Montgomery Practices Thursday for Bears

Vikings Were in the Mix to Land Former Bears RB
Sep 11, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) runs the ball in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Ahead of the matchup between the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, one of the biggest uncertainties revolves around the status of David Montgomery for the Bears. It seems that the star running back is on track to play this weekend after being upgraded to a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.

Montgomery left early in Chicago’s Week 3 game against the Houston Texans with an ankle injury, and he sat out Week 4’s loss to the New York Giants. A return to the practice field indicates the RB could be back on the field this weekend.

Through two games and change, the fourth-year pro has had up-and-down moments in 2022. He struggled in Chicago’s Week 1 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, but much of that can probably be blamed on the monsoon conditions of that game.

Montgomery bounced back in a huge way against the Green Bay Packers, rushing 15 times for 122 yards, but Chicago ultimately lost that game 27-10. He then had rushed three times for 11 yards against Houston prior to leaving the game with his injury.

In his stead, Khalil Herbert has been a workhorse for Chicago as they continue to move the ball primarily on the ground. Through four games, Herbert has rushed 52 times for 317 yards (6.1 yards per carry), and the second-year RB has already set a career-high in touchdowns with three. This steady production included a 157-yard, two TD outburst against the Texans.

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If Montgomery in fact plans to play on Sunday, the Vikings run defense could have its hands full. The duo of Herbert and Montgomery are one of the better 1-2 punches in the league and could cause some trouble for a unit that ranks 17th in yards per carry allowed.

The Minnesota Vikings also got positive injury news this week as rookie cornerback Andrew Booth participated in practice on Wednesday. A quad injury has kept Booth out of the past three games, and he looks closer to being able to step on the field this weekend. Both the Bears and Vikings are trending towards being healthier teams come noon on Sunday.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing as well as minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh can often be found training for a marathon, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his takes, NFL and otherwise, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken

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