Bears Blitz

Matt Forte Injury: Latest Updates on Bears RB’s Week 3 Status

Published by Ryan Rudnansky on September 19, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

UPDATE: Friday, Sept. 21 at 2:20 p.m. ET

Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports Bears head coach Lovie Smith said Forte will miss the team’s Week 3 game against the St. Louis Rams.

Lovie Smith officially ruled out Matt Forte.

— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) September 21, 2012

Forte wasn’t able to make enough progress in his recovery from an ankle injury to suit up this week. His absence will have a major impact on the Bears offense, which will have to turn to Michael Bush to lead the ground game.

—End of update—

UPDATE: Thursday, Sept. 20 at 5:46 p.m. ET

Matt Forte was held out of practice on Thursday, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.

McClure tweeted on Thursday:

Peppers (foot) back at practice today.Urlacher (knee) held out as part of normal routine. Forte (ankle) also out.

— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) September 20, 2012

— End of Update —

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte is still questionable for Week 3, but head coach Lovie Smith said he does not have a high ankle sprain after Thursday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, according to Michael Fabiano of NFL.com.

Fabiano tweeted on Monday:

Bears coach Lovie Smith said Matt Forte DOES NOT have a high ankle sprain. His status for Week 3 remains uncertain, but this is good news.

— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) September 17, 2012

As for when we can expect Forte back on the field, there is still no timetable, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Forte was injured in the third quarter of Thursday’s game when the knee of Packers cornerback Charles Woodson struck his foot and caused his ankle to roll.

The good news for the Bears is that Forte has more time to heal for the game against the St. Louis Rams because they played last Thursday. If he doesn’t have a high ankle sprain, then there is still a chance of him seeing the field.

Right now, however, it’s up in the air and there’s also a chance Forte doesn’t play against the Rams after a disheartening 23-10 loss to the Packers.

Forte has been Chicago’s rock ever since he was nabbed in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. Leading up to this season, the 26-year-old had only missed four games in his first four campaigns.

Last season, Forte rushed for 997 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games, while catching 52 balls for 490 yards and a touchdown.

However, that didn’t stop the Bears from flailing down the stretch and missing the playoffs. The loss of quarterback Jay Cutler for the second half of the season, combined with the loss of Forte for the remaining few games, hurt the team.

Here’s to hoping the electric, multi-purpose back gets back on his feet soon.