With Matt Forte injured, the Chicago Bears turned to backup Michael Bush to punch the ball in the endzone in Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings. Bush finished with 60 yards on 21 carries, but he scored two of the team's four touchdowns with one-yard plunges. After the game on Sunday, head coach Lovie Smith praised Bush's size and strength.
"He's a good player, and he has good size," coach Lovie Smith said. "He's got a little weight behind him, and that's what we brought Michael here for. A guy that size with pads down, there's a chance we're going to have success with him."
(via ESPN Chicago)
Bush's role has been nebulous so far this season as he's been worked into the team's rotation alongside Forte, who himself has dealt with various injuries this year. Bush hasn't been spectacular in 2012, running for 366 yards on 106 carries, good for 3.5 yards per rush.
But he has experience as a feature back, having run for 977 yards last season in Oakland, and has provided stability to a Chicago running game that didn't have an adequate replacement for Forte in 2011. With Forte potentially out for Week 13, Bush could once again be the team's feature back, or he may find himself once again deployed in goal line situations.