A trip to season-ending injured reserve won't necessarily cost Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte the chance to play in his first Pro Bowl.
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The Bears had held out hope that Forte would be able to return this season after he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in Week 13, but the fourth-year pro was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Later that day, he was selected as one of three running backs on the NFC roster.
Forte will be eligible to play in the Jan. 29 game if he passes the team's year-end physical, which is scheduled for Monday, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Forte led the NFL with 1,487 yards from scrimmage at the time of his injury and was third in rushing with 997 yards. He is the first Bears running back named to the Pro Bowl since Neal Anderson in 1991, according to the team.
Other Bears players joining Forte on the NFC roster are cornerback Charles Tillman, linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, and special-teamer Corey Graham.
