The Chicago Bears’ running game has been downright awful in 2020 and it didn’t get any better in Week 10 when the offense faced the Minnesota Vikings on Monday night football without starting running back, David Montgomery.
Montgomery missed the game with a concussion and was replaced by Cordarrelle Patterson who managed just 30 yards on 12 carries.
It’s only natural to question whether the Bears’ running-game woes are the result of the offensive line or Montgomery, who’s averaging just 3.6 yards per carry. Week 10’s lackluster effort tilted the blame toward the offensive line, which seems like the obvious reason anyway.
The Bears should have Montgomery back in the lineup in Week 12’s showdown against the Green Bay Packers, which suddenly has a bit more meaning after the Packers’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Matt Nagy didn’t confirm whether Montgomery had cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol Monday, but the second-year back was on the field during the open portion of the workout, per Chicago Sun-Times reporter, Patrick Finley.
Montgomery’s appeared in nine games this season, totaling 131 carries for 472 yards and one rushing touchdown. He’s the second-highest graded Bears player on offense this season, per Pro Football Focus.