Matt Forte Injury: Updates on Bears RB's Knee and Return

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte suffered a sprained MCL against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8 and hasn't played since. He will make his return against the Green Bay Packers in Week 12.

Continue for updates.

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Forte Active vs. Packers 

Thursday, Nov. 26

The Bears announced Forte will play on Thursday night, per Field Yates of ESPN. 

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Forte Comments on Week 12 Playing Status 

Tuesday, Nov. 24

"I probably could have played last Sunday, but I might not have been able to play coming up this week if something would have happened," Forte said, per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN. "Time heals and stuff. Just a couple of extra days will help.

"I'm good enough to go," Forte added, per Dickerson.

Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times also reported Forte is expected to be ready to play.

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Latest on Forte's Practice Status

Tuesday, Nov. 24

The team announced that Forte was limited at practice.

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Forte Speaks About Role Long-Term Future Plays in Handling of Injury

Saturday, Nov. 14

"That's [a factor], if not the most important factor—the future," Forte said, per Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. "Because if you go out there for one game and then ruin the rest of your season and maybe your career, then that's a big factor. There's a lot of football left to be played. So you don't want to chance it for one game. That's a lot of it."

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Fox Comments on Forte's Injury

Monday, Nov. 2

Bears coach John Fox told reporters Forte was still being evaluated but added he "doesn't see" it being a season-ending injury. Fox also said he "does not anticipate" that Forte will need surgery.

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Forte Critical to Bears' Success

Now in his eighth NFL season, all with the Bears, Forte has been a bastion of consistency throughout his career. He rushed for at least 929 yards in each of his first seven seasons and never for more than 1,339.

Chicago has emphasized Forte's pass-catching ability out of the backfield more this year, as he had 21 grabs going into Week 8. Prior to exiting the game against the Vikings, Forte rushed 10 times for 41 yards and added another 28 yards on four receptions. 

Last season was his second straight setting a career high in receptions. The two-time Pro Bowler made 102 grabs for 808 yards and four touchdowns while adding 1,038 yards and six scores on the ground. 

Forte's focus has continued to shift. Instead of worrying he might soon be out of a job—multiple times the Bears have signed players designed to, at the very least, work in a platoon—the 29-year-old has instead begun putting his effort into breaking the running back aging curve.

The Bears selected Ka'Deem Carey in the fourth round of the draft last year, but he hasn't touched the field this season in favor of Langford after the team lost Jacquizz Rodgers for the campaign earlier this year. Losing Forte would create a massive hole in a top-heavy Chicago offense that's already cracking under the weight of expectation.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.