Tag: David Montgomery

3 key matchups to watch in Bears vs. Cowboys

As the Bears prepare for the Cowboys, they’ll face a tall order as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive. Here are matchups to watch.

When the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys kick off at Soldier Field on Thursday evening, it will officially mark the beginning of the fourth quarter of the 2019 NFL season.

Each sitting at 6-6, the Bears and Cowboys still eye a spot in the postseason, although the Cowboys’ road to the playoffs is much smoother than the Bears’. Nonetheless, neither team can afford a loss in December and will look to inch closer towards securing a playoff berth.

With injuries sidelining impactful players on both teams, this game will come down to a few key matchups. Here are three of the biggest:

1. OLB Khalil Mack vs. LT Tyron Smith

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

A (literal) battle of the heavyweights, Mack and Smith are perennial Pro Bowl players who will go head to head for a significant portion of the game. Statistically, Mack hasn’t reached his totals from 2018 and is in danger of missing out on double-digit sacks for the first time since his rookie season. But he has five forced fumbles and is still a game-changer when coming off the edge. He’ll line up on both ends of the line but will face a major test when lining up across from Smith.

Smith has only surrendered one sack this season, and the offensive line as a whole has given up 19 total, tied for third-best in the league, according to Football Outsiders. Getting to Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will be paramount when it comes to winning this game.

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Behind Enemy Lines: Week 12 Q&A with Bears Wire

With a Week 12 matchup between the New York Giants and Chicago Bears on tap, we go behind enemy lines for a chat with Bears Wire.

The New York Giants (2-8) and Chicago Bears (4-6) will square off on Sunday in Week 12.

The Giants opened the week as 6.5-point road underdogs, and the spread hasn’t changed as of Saturday morning.

With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Bears Wire managing editor Alyssa Barbieri.

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Giants Wire: When pouring over the individual statistics, Khalil Mack appears to be having a down year in comparison to some of his more numerically successful seasons in recent years. However, after watching some film it’s clear that offenses are simply building an entire game plan around him, often double- and triple-teaming him. How can the Bears go about freeing Mack up a bit and positioning him to re-emerge as the same game-breaker we’re used to?

Alyssa Barbieri: Surely the Bears would like to have defensive tackle Akiem Hicks back in the lineup (he’s eligible to return in Week 15). Typically when teams double- and triple-team Mack, they free up other players to attack, Hicks being the primary beneficiary of that. If other players can take advantage of the focus on Mack — Leonard Floyd being a player that needs to utilize those one-on-one matchups — the offense will have to account for them at the expense of one less man on Mack. But even when Mack is absent in the box score, as he was last Sunday against the Rams, he’s still making an impact on the field freeing up other guys or bringing pressure but not ultimately getting there.

Continue …

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Giants vs. Bears: 6 things to know about Week 12

The New York Giants and Chicago Bears square off on Sunday in Week 12, so here are six things fans should know.

The New York Giants (2-8) head out to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears (4-6) in a meeting between two of the NFC’s most disappointing teams this season.

Here are six things to know:

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The history

This is the 52nd meeting between two of the NFL’s most iconic franchises dating back to 1925. With a win on Sunday the Giants would improve their all-time record against the Bears to 22-28-2. A victory this week would also improve the Giants’ road record against the Bears to 12-13.

The Giants are making their first trip to Soldier Field since 2013, a 27-21 Bears victory on Thursday Night Football in Week 6.

The teams have met just 18 times since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger and had played only three times between 1970 and the January 5, 1986 NFC Divisional Playoff game in which the Bears shut the Giants out, 21-0, at Soldier Field.

The Giants are 7-5 against the Bears since the teams last met in the postseason — a 31-3 victory in the 1991 NFC Divisional Playoffs.

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Bears RB David Montgomery plays vs. Rams after rolling ankle

Bears RB David Montgomery didn’t miss any action after rolling his ankle during practice, and he was able to play against the Rams.

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After being declared a game-time decision before the start of Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears rookie running back David Montgomery was able to play.

Montgomery had rolled his ankle during Wednesday’s practice, which caused him to miss practice Thursday and be a limited participant Friday.

“Just a lot of treatment and try to recover, just to get back,” he said, via the Sun-Times.

He was questionable heading into a game where the Bears figured to need a strong running game.

Well, a strong running game wasn’t what they got.

Chicago managed just 74 yards on 24 carries, where they averaged 3.1 yards per carry. Not exactly the kind of numbers you’d like out of your struggling run game.

Montgomery only had 14 carries for 31 yards, and added on pass for 19 yards in a 17-7 losing effort to the Rams.

Running back Tarik Cohen led the Bears with 39 yards on nine carries, and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky added a scramble for four yards.

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Bears Week 11 Inactives: David Montgomery active vs. Rams

The Bears released their inactives ahead of tonight’s game against the Rams, and rookie RB David Montgomery is ACTIVE.

The Chicago Bears (4-5) released their inactives ahead of tonight’s primetime showdown against the Los Angeles Rams (5-4), and it’s good news regarding rookie running back David Montgomery.

Montgomery is officially active against the Rams. He rolled his ankle during Wednesday’s practice, and he was a game-time decision heading into a do-or-die conference game.

Bradley Sowell is also active against Los Angeles with the Bears thin at the tight end position. Last season, Sowell scored Chicago’s only touchdown of the game on a play dubbed Santa’s Sleigh. Could we see part two tonight?

Tight ends Trey Burton (who was placed on injured reserve Saturday) and Adam Shaheen along with linebackers Danny Trevathan and Isaiah Irving had previously been ruled out against the Rams.

Steelers sign RB Kerrith Whyte Jr. from Bears’ practice squad

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed seventh-round RB Kerrith Whyte Jr. off the Chicago Bears’ practice squad.

Aside from running back David Montgomery, the Chicago Bears’ 2019 rookie class has been underwhelming to say the least.

They’ve played the fewest snaps in the NFL at 366 snaps, while NFL draft classes have averaged 1,441 snaps, and Montgomery has been the only pick that’s seen significant playing time.

To add insult to injury, the Bears have lost Kerrith Whyte Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who signed the running back off Chicago’s practice squad to their 53-man roster

Chicago drafted Whyte Jr. in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, where he provided versatility on offense and special teams with his speed.

After the Bears waived running back Mike Davis last week, in order to better their odds at securing a fourth-round compensatory pick in 2020, Chicago elevated running back Ryan Nall to the active roster in his place.

Whyte Jr. was a part of a draft class that consisted of Montgomery (third round), receiver Riley Ridley (fourth round), cornerback Duke Shelley (sixth round) and cornerback Stephen Denmark (seventh round).

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Bears RB David Montgomery a game-time decision vs. Rams

The Bears might be without rookie RB David Montgomery against the Rams. After rolling his ankle Wednesday, he’s a game-time decision.

The Chicago Bears (4-5) might enter Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Rams (5-4) without starting running back David Montgomery.

Montgomery is considered a game-time decision, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Montgomery lightly rolled his ankle during Wednesday’s practice. He missed Thursday’s practice and was limited Friday before being declared questionable against the Rams.

If Montgomery can’t go, the Bears figure to split reps between running backs Tarik Cohen and Ryan Nall, as well as receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who’s been employed as a power back at times this season.

The Bears will also be without tight end Adam Shaheen (foot), linebacker Danny Trevathan (elbow), Isaiah Irving (quad) and tight end Trey Burton, who was placed on injured reserve Saturday.

David Montgomery questionable, Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen ruled out vs. Rams

The Bears released their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s game against the Rams, and four players have already been ruled out.

The Chicago Bears released their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles, and the Bears will be without several players.

Tight ends Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen along with linebackers Danny Trevathan and Isaiah Irving have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Rams.

Running back David Montgomery, who lightly rolled his ankle in practice Wednesday, was limited Friday and is officially questionable for Sunday.

The Bears will be without two of their tight ends in Burton and Shaheen, which means that Ben Braunecker will be the featured tight end against Los Angeles.

Braunecker scored his first career touchdown last week against the Detroit Lions, and he already figured to see more playing time.

Offensive lineman turned tight end Bradley Sowell figures to get some time at tight end, as well. It was just last season against the Rams where Sowell scored Chicago’s lone touchdown in a 15-6 victory at Soldier Field.

Matt Nagy was so impressed that they decided to convert him to a tight end. Maybe this is the week that the Sowell legend continues.

If Montgomery can’t go, Ryan Nall figures to get reps along with Tarik Cohen and Cordarrelle Patterson.

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Bears RB David Montgomery’s status for Week 11 in jeopardy

The Bears might be without starting RB David Montgomery against the Rams, as Montgomery nurses a rolled ankle injury.

As the Chicago Bears, who are clinging to their playoff lives, prepare for a do-or-die primetime matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, they might have to play without their starting running back.

Rookie David Montgomery was held out of Thursday’s practice after “lightly” rolling his ankle Wednesday.

Bears coach Matt Nagy remained mum on Montgomery’s status other than they’re going to take it day-by-day and make sure he’s good to go, should he play Sunday.

“I can’t say either way,” Nagy said, via the Sun-Times. “We’ll just kind of keep an eye on it as it goes here and see how it is [Thursday]. We’re working through [Thursday], and see how he goes.”

If Montgomery can’t go, Ryan Nall, who made his first career start last week against the Detroit Lions, would likely take over Montgomery’s role and get a bulk of the offensive load, along with Tarik Cohen. Nall played on special teams against the Lions, but he didn’t play a single offensive snap.

Chicago could also employ receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in the run game, as he’s been used as a power back at times this season.

Mike Davis would’ve been next in-line to replace Montgomery, but the Bears released Davis last week in order to better their odds at securing a fourth-round compensatory pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Bears injury report: David Montgomery misses Thursday’s practice with ankle injury

The Bears released their Thursday injury report ahead of a matchup against the Rams, and RB David Montgomery’s ankle injury is a concern.

As the Chicago Bears prepare for a pivotal NFC showdown against the Los Angeles Rams, there’s some concern about whether their starting running back will be ready for primetime.

Rookie David Montgomery popped up on the injury report Wednesday, where he was limited with an ankle injury. The fact that Montgomery missed Thursday’s practice is definitely concerning heading into a game where the offense really needs to establish the run game.

Coach Matt Nagy said Montgomery rolled his ankle during Wednesday’s practice.

Four other Bears players missed Thursday’s practice, including tight end Trey Burton (calf), linebacker Isaiah Irving (quad), linebacker Danny Trevathan (elbow) and newcomer to the injury report tight end Adam Shaheen (foot).

With Burton and Shaheen on the injury report, the Bears are thin at tight end, where Ben Braunecker and J.P. Holtz are currently the only healthy tight ends on the roster. Braunecker had success last week against the Detroit Lions, where he caught his first-career touchdown — a touchdown that jumpstarted three straight scoring drives.

Irving hasn’t practiced since before a Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, as he’s dealt with a quad injury sustained in that same game. His status will likely prompt linebacker James Vaughter’s promotion from the practice squad sometime this week.

There hasn’t been an update on Trevathan’s gruesome injury, and it’s no surprise that he didn’t participate in practice Thursday. Nick Kwiatkoski stepped in for Trevathan against the Lions, and the Bears will be looking for continued production from him.

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