Matt Forte Injury: Marion Barber Will Fail to Pick Up Lost Ground

If the injury to Chicago Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler wasn't enough, the potential loss of running back Matt Forte will be detrimental. If Forte is lost for the year, the Bears will need to turn to Marion Barber, who has not been a good primary running back for years.

The former Dallas Cowboys' back has been coming in at goal line situations, but there is no doubt that he will not be able to have the same impact on the field that Forte has. With Cutler, Forte was still the primary yard converter for the Bears. Once Cutler was out, he became even more important, but the Bears were still not able to come through.

Without Forte, this Bears' offense will likely have a hard time moving the ball.

Barber isn't an elusive running back, and right now that is what the Bears need. A power back is nice to have, but it isn't enough to move the ball like the Bears are going to need from here on out.

On the season, Barber has ran the ball 113 times for 374 yards and four touchdowns. It seems unlikely that he will be able to carry this team like Forte has, but the Bears are going to need to rely on him and quarterback Caleb Hanie. 

It is possible offensive coordinator Mike Martz will not be returning next season. If there is a fallout, it could spell even more trouble for a Bears team that has taken one too many hits this season.

The Bears are potentially losing out on a MVP caliber running back, and they are quickly seeing their playoff hopes dwindling away. With a schedule that has the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks remaining, the Bears potentially could survive on their backups.

Recently though, they haven't been coming through as many had hoped.

The Bears are going to have to hope that Barber will be able to come in and accomplish something, otherwise this season is all but lost for the Bears.