Bears vs. Cowboys: Chicago will be without fullback/tight end Evan Rodriguez

The Chicago Bears will be without rookie tight end Evan Rodriguez when they take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Rodriguez will miss the Monday Night Football matchup due to a knee injury he suffered during the team's Week 3 win over the St. Louis Rams, according to John Mullin of CSN-Chicago. The 24-year-old rookie from Temple has yet to catch a pass in his NFL career, but he has lined up as a fullback and tight end and multiple formations and had been helpful in pass protection and run blocking situations. Without their 2012 fourth-round pick in uniform, the Bears may have to lean more on tight ends Kyle Adams and Kellen Davis for extra blocking assignments.

As for the rest of the Bears backfield, Matt Forte (ankle) had limited participation in practice on Thursday, while backup running back Michael Bush (shoulder) did not even appear on the team's initial injury report. The Bears take on the Dallas at Cowboys Stadium in prime time on Oct. 1 (7:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).