The Bears on Monday delivered good news on the status of running back Matt Forte.
Coach John Fox told reporters that Forte is not expected to need surgery on the right knee he injured during Chicago's 23-20 loss on Sunday to the Minnesota Vikings.
The veteran back is still being evaluated, but NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that Forte's injury is a knee sprain and is not expected to be a long-term deal. Forte might not even miss any time, Rapoport added. The Bears are set to play next Monday night on the road against the Chargers.
Forte ran for 41 yards against the Vikings before exiting the game in the third quarter. As the NFL's eighth-leading rusher with 548 yards on the year, the 29-year-old back has operated all season as the centerpiece of Chicago's up-and-down offense.
In the final year of his deal, Forte has also been whispered about as trade bait, but his knee injury initially tempered that chatter. If the setback is minor, we could still see a team swapping for this talented runner.
