Langford hopes for snappy return
RB not sure how much action he’ll see against Vikes
It’s amazing it took this long.
When Jeremy Langford missed four games for the Bears because of a high ankle sprain suffered in Dallas, it was the first time an injury kept him out.
“That was the first time I ever missed this many games,” he said Thursday in his first comments since the injury. “I missed one game in high school.”
Sitting out gave Langford time to think — about his role and place in the game, and how his team needs to start winning. He hopes to be able to do something about it Monday night against the Vikings.
His injured right ankle made it difficult to stop and accelerate, but Langford — who started every game his last two years at Michigan State and played all 16 as a rookie last season — has felt good during two limited practices this week.
“I guess you realize a lot of stuff when you’re not playing: how much you miss it and how much it’s part of your life,” he said. “Everything happens for a reason, I feel like. I can sit back and watch football from this perspective and see how much I love the game.”
And how well others were doing in his place.
Jordan Howard ran for back- to- back 100- yard games, and Ka’Deem Carey outgained Howard the last two games.
“I definitely root for the other guys,” Langford said. “When I was on the sideline, I gave the input I had, what I saw. I always want those guys to be successful, and I think that makes all of us better when they’re doing a great job.
“When Jordan’s doing a great job running the ball, it makes Ka’Deem run a little harder. And when I see them, [ I] run a little bit harder. It’s for the good.”
Langford doesn’t know exactly how he’ll fit in against the Vikings but said he’ll be available. The Bears vowed to run the hot hand during the preseason, but Langford was in for 96 percent of the offensive snaps in the opener. He and Carey shared Game 2 carries before the latter was injured, and Howard inherited the starting job when Langford rode off the field in a cart six days later.
Coach John Fox hinted he’ll limit Langford’s snaps in his return. Langford said he’ll cherish each one he gets.
“On the first play when you get the ball, you gotta make stuff happen,” he said. “So I think that makes us change our mindset as a group and as a player. You get that one snap — take advantage of that opportunity. I think that’s what Jordan and Ka’Deem have been doing since I’ve been out.”
They had the luxury of running behind an offensive line that had finally established chemistry. Those good feelings ended against the Packers. Josh Sitton was inactive because of an ankle injury, and Kyle Long left in the second quarter with a triceps strain. Neither guard has practiced all week.
Even if they were to block Monday, yards won’t be easy to come by. The Vikings’ defense allows 279.5 yards per game, tops in the NFL, and is tied atop the league, with the Seahawks, allowing 14 points per game.
“You’ve got to do a great job of being decisive and get vertical,” Langford said. “You gotta take the three- yard runs, the four- yard runs.”
That’s not necessarily Langford’s strong suit, but he said he has found inspiration in the two runners he has watched from the sideline.
“I think it’s a mindset those two guys came in with,” he said. “And they’re doing a great job.”