RB Miller might get his chance
The Bears ruled out starting running back David Montgomery for Monday against the Vikings, and that could provide a long- awaited opportunity for former Pro Bowl player Lamar Miller.
Montgomery suffered a concussion in the loss to the
Titans, leaving the Bears with Cordarrelle Patterson ( three yards per carry this season), Ryan Nall ( two career carries) and Artavis Pierce ( one career offensive snap) at the position.
None are as intriguing as Miller, who is trying to come back from tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the 2019 preseason. The Bears signed him to their practice squad Oct. 5 and have until 3 p. m. Sunday to promote him.
“When he was playing at his highest level, he was one of the best running backs in the
NFL,” coach Matt Nagy said. “There’s an excitement of the possibility of him being able to fill a role for us. I do love this story.” Miller put up 973 yards rushing ( 4.6 per carry) and 163 receiving to go with six touchdowns for the Texans in 2018. He averaged 1,251 yards from scrimmage from 2014 through ’ 18.
It’s unclear how strong his knee is, however. Running backs coach Charles London hinted Monday that Miller is “progressing” toward full capacity but not there yet. Nagy left it at, “He could be an option.”
Whitehair could return
The most surprising news Saturday was that Nagy believes starting center Cody Whitehair might play Monday. He was out with a calf injury, then tested positive for coronavirus Nov. 5. If he has no symptoms and tests negative, he is eligible to return.
“I would certainly say it’s a possibility,” Nagy said.
The Bears replaced Whitehair with Sam Mustipher, who hurt his knee in his debut. Mustipher is doubtful, and potential starting right tackle Jason Spriggs is questionable with a knee injury.
If Whitehair and Spriggs return, the line would look much closer to what the Bears want. They would likely start these five: Left tackle Charles Leno, left guard Alex Bars, Whitehair, right guard Germain Ifedi and Spriggs at right tackle.
Injury roundup
Backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky
( shoulder) has been at Halas Hall all week but hasn’t practiced and is out Monday. Tyler Bray will back up Nick Foles.
Defensive tackle John Jenkins ( ankle) and special- teams star Sherrick McManis ( broken finger) are also out.
Tight end Cole Kmet ( groin), outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo ( shoulder) and wide receiver Allen Robinson ( knee) were limited Saturday but are likely to play.