Bears Backfield Running On Empty

The Minnesota Vikings might be without top wide receiver Justin Jefferson Sunday but the Bears might be without a running back in that game who has carried the football recently for them.

For that reason, at least they're glad to have running back Darrynton Evans back from a stay in Miami via Buffalo, after he hadn't been retained in Chicago following expiration of his 2022 contract.

"Honestly, it felt good," Evans said as he returned to Chicago after being signed off Miami's practiced squad. I'm happy to be back and get around the guys right now, back in the building, the city, a place I love. I'm just ready to get to work, that's it."

It means a 53-man roster spot and regular player's pay rather than practice squad pay, and also a chance to play right away.

For the Bears, at least it means someone to back up D'Onta Foreman or Roschon Johnson. Just as their running game started to look strong the past two games with 349 yards after a slow start, they're short on ball carriers.

The Bears on Thursday lost Khalil Herbert to an ankle injury, Johnson to a concussion and Travis Homer to a hamstring injury. Herbert reportedly could wind up on injured reserve, according to an NFL Network report. The concussion Johnson has is a day-to-day thing, like Homer's injury.

So the Bears were only too happy to find Evans available again and possibly back up D'Onta Foreman, who hasn't been active for a Bears game since the season opener.

"I was watching the game," Evans said. "Seeing guys go down, you never wanna see that."

It did mean he also got to see former Titans and Bears teammate Khari Blasingame, carry the ball for the first time in Chicago as an emergency running back. Their fullback managed 26 yards on eight runs.

"I was happy to see Khari get a chance," Evans said. "Obviously being around Khari for my whole career in Tennessee and here, I know what he can do.

"So everybody sees Khari as a fullback; I see Khari as a running back. Seeing him actually get some runs in practice and other games, things like that. I knew the team would be fine with Khari in the game. I texted him right after the game. I was like, bro you were supposed to do a little more than you did. I want to see you show of the moves off. He did a good job."

Evans only had one reception and 14 carries for the Bears last year as their fourth back behind David Montgomery, Herbert and Trestan Ebnber.

At least he's someone who knew the offense so there is some familiarity and he could conceivably contribute right away.

Then again, it's been a while, although he did look good in preseason breaking a 35-yard TD run for Buffalo against the Bears defense.

He thinks it's not as simple as just picking up the playbook once and then going to work.

"I feel like from the outside looking in it'd be easy for someone to say that knowing I was here all last year and familiar with all the guys, the playmaker, a lot of the main staples staying here," he said. "Year to year, teams grow. Teams are different.

"Nothing is ever the same."

He's making sure he can make a difference.

"For me personally? Just dive in," he said. "Go all in in the playbook, learn as much as I can learn and just understand that I'm here. I'm here to help, here to play, and just know my role, do my role."

The Bears could be lacking the all-around type back they had with both Herbert and Johnson, as Evans at 203 pounds is more like Homer as a receiving or third-down back type.

They may need that skill. Foreman hasn't been much of passing game contributor with any team he's been with, although he hasn't been given much chance with only 34 career targets on 811 total plays.

"He's a really good downhill runner," coach Matt Eberflus said of the 236-pound Foreman. "He's a physical player. And just that, just what we saw last year on tape, we want to see that during practice and that during the games and then being consistent."

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