■ David Montgomery is out for Monday’s game.
RB suffered concussion; Miller might be promoted
Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery has been declared out for Monday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, still dealing with the concussion he suffered in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans. Montgomery has not been cleared to return to practice and will miss agameMonday for the first time in his career.
The Bears have also declared quarterback Mitch Trubisky (shoulder), defensive lineman John Jenkins (ankle) and defensive back Sherrick McManis (finger) out.
Offensive lineman SamMustipher is doubtful with a knee injury. Allen Robinson (knee), Cole Kmet (groin), Jason Spriggs (knee) and Barkevious Mingo (knee) are listed as questionable.
Robinson and Kmetwere limited participants in practice Saturday atHalasHall and are likely to get the green light on Monday night.
Montgomery’s absence, however, is another blow to a struggling offense. The Bears already have the league’s least productive rushing attack, averaging 82.3 yards per game. Without Montgomery, more reshuffling must be done. And Matt Nagy said that could mean a committee approach in the backfield with Cordarrelle Patterson, Ryan Nall and Artavis Pierce potentially sharing the load.
Nagy also acknowledged there was a possibility veteran Lamar Miller could be promoted from the practice squad before the game.
“He could be an option,” Nagy said. “It’s something we’re definitely looking into. … He’s done a good job of continuing to practice hard each and every day. We’re watching him aswe go in practice.”
Miller, whohasbeenwith the Bears since Week 5 and is still coming back from the torn anterior cruciate ligament that cost him the entire 2019 season, is an intriguing option. He totaled 1,136 yards from scrimmage plus six touchdowns for theTexans in 2018. That was his fifth consecutive season surpassing 1,000 yards from scrimmage. At 29 years old, his attempt to revive his career might coincide with the Bears’ needs to jump-start their struggling running game.
“He’s a really good kid who has a lot of experience,” Nagy said. “Nowhe has had this (knee) injury that is not always easy to come back from. But when he was playing at his highest level, hewas one of the best running backs in the NFL. So to have a guy like that, tomethere’s an excitement of the possibility of him being able to fill a role for us.”