Michael Bush: Bears RB Must-Start After Matt Forte Ruled out for Week 3

If you've got Matt Forte on your fantasy football team, bad news for Week 3 is imminent. If Michael Bush is sitting on your bench, put him in the starting lineup and roll with the results.

An ankle injury kept Forte from fully practicing this week. He was held out of action during practice on Thursday, and his status for the game on Sunday was made official on Friday afternoon.

According to Zach Zaidman, a sideline reporter for the Chicago Bears and local Chicago CBS personality, Forte has been ruled out for Week 3 against the St. Louis Rams:

"

Matt Forte ruled out for Sunday vs. Rams.

— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) September 21, 2012"

Forte injured the ankle in the Bears' game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday night in Week 2, when he was rolled up from behind after breaking to the outside on the Packers defense.

His injury puts Bush back in the spotlight, where he performed well last season for the Oakland Raiders in a similar situation. Starter Darren McFadden went down with an injury, and Bush stepped in to the tune of 242 total yards and a touchdown in his first game as the starter.

That kind of production won't be as likely in Chicago, as the Bears like to spread the ball in the air more than Oakland was able to. However, he'll be the recipient of almost all the carries, will likely see time in the passing game and promises to have a game filled with meaningful touches.

It's not as if Bush has been a fantasy dud so far in 2012. He rushed for two touchdowns in limited action in Week 1, and then was able to rush for 54 yards when Forte went down with injury even though the Bears were playing from behind in the second half.

Against the Rams, who've given up big days to both Kevin Smith and Alfred Morris in the passing game, Bush should have another great day.

For the Bears, they will miss their starting RB against St. Louis. However, Bush is more than capable of picking up the slack on the field and on your fantasy team this week. Allow him to turn this injury into a positive going forward, at least until Forte is back in action.