While the Chicago Bears ended a 14-game losing streak dating back to last season and earned their first win in nearly a full calendar year, it was all smiles in the locker room after the game. Despite the win, they lost their starting running back Khalil Herbert to an ankle injury in the process.
Herbert suffered the injury when he was running forward on a route during a third-down play where quarterback Justin Fields was scrambling in the backfield trying to make a play and saw Herbert running wide open down the sideline. Fields underthrew the pass, forcing Herbert to try to go back for the ball to corral it which ultimately caused him to bend and land awkwardly on his ankle.
While Herbert never returned to the game after suffering the injury, he was seen jogging on the sidelines. With the Bears up 16 points in the third quarter, they chose to take a cautious approach with their running back despite his desire to return to the game.
Herbert was playing very well before the team’s win over the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. He converted 10 carries into 76 yards before being forced to leave the game due to injury. In addition to Herbert, the Bears also lost backup running backs Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) to injuries in this game while offseason acquisition D’Onta Foreman was a healthy scratch.
With that said, the Bears turned to fullback Khari Blasingame to finish the game as the Bears running back. Herbert now has 10 days to get ready for the Bears Week 6 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Had the game been a little closer, Herbert seemed like he could’ve had a shot to return. Now, he gets ample time to rest and is hopefully not forced to miss any additional time.
