The Chicago Bears will be without star running back David Montgomery for awhile. But the good news is it’s not a season-ending knee injury.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Montgomery suffered a knee sprain that’s expected to sideline him for 4-5 weeks. It’s not exactly good news, but it’s not bad news either.
Montgomery suffered a knee injury in the fourth quarter in Sunday’s win against the Lions, where he was seen writhing in pain on the ground. That’s when everyone feared the worst. So this is really the best-case scenario.
Per source, tests showed Bears RB David Montgomery has a knee sprain that’s expected to keep him out 4-5 weeks. Not season-ending, but Bears will be without their starting RB for a while.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) October 5, 2021
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared a similar report, where he said Montgomery could return around the team’s Week 10 bye week.
From @gmfb: #Bears RB David Montgomery’s knee injury isn’t season-ending, but he is expected to miss time — potentially returning around Chicago’s Week 10 bye. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/qeikFc4mFn
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 5, 2021
Montgomery is the fifth-leading rusher through four weeks with 309 yards, which includes a pair of 100-yard games against the Rams and Lions.
There is some encouraging news given the Bears have some depth at running back with Damien Williams and rookie Khalil Herbert, who will both carry the load for the next month without Montgomery.
But make no mistake: Montgomery’s loss is going to hurt, especially given he’s been the team’s best offensive player this season. But things could’ve been much worse considering.