Jeff Hanisch-US PRESSWIRE
With Matt Forte not practicing for a second straight day, it is looking more and more likely that he won’t be available for Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. The Chicago Bears will count on Michael Bush and Kahlil Bell to carry the load in the run game against the 21st rank rush defense.
With Forte, the Bears lose a guy who gives them the opportunity for a big play. Forte is the more quicker, faster, and elusive running back of the three, but the Bears should be fine with the Bush and Bell tandem this Sunday.
The Bears are averaging 104 yards through first two games of the season; quite frankly they have the talent at the RB position to be much better than that.
In Bush, they have a back that is a bruiser, but is quicker and agile than he’s given credit for. The Bears need to look to Bush often this Sunday to take pressure off Jay Cutler against an aggressive Rams secondary.
Bush is familiar with being the workhorse back. Last year, Bush started nine games for the Oakland Raiders and in those nine rushed for 740 yards off 196 carries. Bush is no stranger of putting up solid numbers in place of a star veteran as he put up those numbers filling in for Darren McFadden. Against the Rams, Bush is more than likely will have to play that role again for the ailing Forte.
Bush won’t be without help; the Bears brought back Bell earlier this week. Bell is another big back, but he’s a quick one cut runner, who’s hard to bring down once he builds up speed.
For the Bears offense to get back on track, they have to find a good balance between the pass and run game. That starts Sunday with the Rams.
