The Chicago Bears are "hopeful" that starting running back Matt Forte will be able to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 1, as head coach Lovie Smith told WBBM 780 on Monday. The Bears are visiting Texas to play the Cowboys on Monday Night Football next Monday.
While noting that Forte has made significant progress, Smith expressed his hope that he'll be able to play:
We're just hopeful that [Forte will] be able to go. If not, our running backs, not only Michael Bush (Sunday), but Kahlil Bell and Armando Allen all did a good job. But we hope we'll get our stud running back back.
After suffering a sprained ankle in Chicago's Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Forte was forced to sit out Sunday's 23-6 victory over the St. Louis Rams. Backup Michael Bush played fairly well in his absence, rushing 18 times for 55 yards and a touchdown as the primary ball carrier.
Without Forte, the Bears have used Armando Allen and Kahlil Bell as their backup running backs, but Forte's return would move those players to more appropriate roles on the roster.
For more on the Bears, be sure to visit Windy City Gridiron. And, for additional pro football coverage, head over to SB Nation's NFL hub.