Former Bears Back Plucked from Dolphins

The Bears may have seen more in facing Darrynton Evans than they did when they had him in Chicago.

Evans is returning to Chicago after being signed off of the Miami Dolphins practice squad, according to a report by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Because he's signed off the practice squad, he'll have to be put on the 53-man roster, meaning it's possible one of the injured running backs they have will need to go on injured reserve.

They suffered several injuries to running backs against Washington. The main issue is the injury to starter Khalil Herbert's ankle. He left the game, tried to return and then make a small cut on an inside run but it was obvious he couldn't do it and left the game immediately. Pelissero reported it's expect Herbert will be out for a while, but didn't specify anything more about the injury.

#Bears RB Khalil Herbert is expected to miss multiple weeks because of the ankle injury he suffered Thursday night against the #Commanders, per sources.

With Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring) also ailing, it could be D’Onta Foreman time for Chicago. pic.twitter.com/V0Ayv4Blzq
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 8, 2023

Evans was with the Bears practice squad last year but got elevated for just 14 rushing attempts and 64 yards, with one 33-yard reception on a screen pass against the Jets. Then they faced him in preseason while he was with the Buffalo Bills and he ran against them for 65 yards on nine carries, including a 35-yard TD.

Evans was with the Colts and waived, and the Bills, then released since his contract with the Bears ended last year and he wasn't signed back.

The severity of Herbert's injury wasn't yet known to coach Matt Eberflus on Friday when he spoke with media.

When asked about the injury after the game, Herbert said: "I'm trying to figure that out too. But I'll be OK."

If it's a high ankle sprain or one requiring several weeks, the Bears do have D'Onta Foreman and he hasn't been active since the season opener.

But backup Roschon Johnson suffered a concussion against the Commanders and backup Travis Homer left the game with a hamstring injury.

It left the Bears finishing the game with fullback Khari Blasingame as a running back.

The place the Bears would be hurt most if they had to use Foreman would be in the passing game as his blocking and receiving have never been a strength. With both Johnson and Homer hurt, they also are losing two players who can play in the passing game, but this was supposed to be Evans' strength even though the Bears really didn't let him do it to any extent last year.

The Bears had signed Evans as a free agent in 2022 off-season, waived him after training camp and had him on the practice squad.

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