Running back Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs against free safety Morgan Burnett #42 and cornerback Casey Hayward #29 of the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter at Lambeau Field on September 13, 2012 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Reporting Josh Liss
CHICAGO (CBS) – The Bears’ loss to the Packers on Thursday not only cost them the momentum they had created with their season opening win over the Colts, it might have cost them the services of running back Matt Forte for a bit.
Although the team has not yet said whether Forte will miss any time from his ankle injury, coach Lovie Smith told WBBM Newsradio’s Josh Liss Monday morning that Forte does not have a high ankle sprain.
“Matt did go down with an ankle injury. It’s not a high ankle sprain, as has been reported,” Smith said. “He still has some soreness. We’ll continue to monitor it, but we felt like we needed another running back here, so we brought back a guy that knows our system and has played good ball for us in Kahlil Bell.”
Backup Michael Bush took over as the running back after Forte went down on Thursday, and would likely start Sunday’s game against the Rams if Forte is unable to play.
Smith declined to discuss the 23-10 loss to the Packers, or quarterback Jay Cutler’s actions on the field — when he was seen yelling at members of the offensive line, and giving a shoulder bump to left tackle J’Marcus Webb. Cutler was sacked seven times and threw four interceptions against Green Bay.
“We’ve moved on from the last game. We didn’t play as well as we needed to. We didn’t handle some situations as we needed to. We like our football team. Things happen inside,” Smith said. “But that happens sometimes, and you move on. We don’t have any major issues except for we lost a football game and can’t wait for the team to get back on the field this week”
Smith said the team has to move on from the loss to the Packers and focus on the next game against the Rams, who are 1-1 after a 31-28 comeback win against the Redskins.
“Their win was about as impressive as any of the wins this past weekend,” Smith said of the Rams’ rally from a 15-point deficit. “Not only that one, but they had a chance to also beat the Lions the week before. Just played good in all three phases, and it’ll be a heck of a challenge for us this week.”
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Lovie Smith With Josh Liss
