Matt Forte Injury: Updates on Bears Star's Back and Return

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte was dealing with a back injury suffered in Week 16, but he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

---

Forte Active for Week 17

Sunday, Jan. 3

Forte is available to play against the Detroit Lions, per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com.

---

Forte's Rash of Injuries Gives Langford Chance to Shine 

The veteran previously missed three games with an MCL sprain, which allowed Jeremy Langford to emerge as a clear heir apparent.

Langford has rushed for 523 yards and six touchdowns on the season while also catching 22 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown, doing enough that some were ready to unseat Forte from his starting job.

His emergence allowed Chicago to wait until Forte was 100 percent healthy to bring him back into the lineup.

As for Forte, his rash of injuries is concerning.

His contract ends after the 2015 season, and while it seems unlikely Chicago will bring him back with Langford emerging, he probably would have commanded a solid payday elsewhere had he stayed healthy. Instead, it's fair to wonder if he's just the latest aging running back whose body is breaking down.