Dec. 12: Forte’ Fine

Jeff Joniak, WBBM Newsradio 780 Reporting

FORTE’ FINE
On his first carry Thursday night, Matt Forte’ suffered a bruised toe when Saints defensive end Will Smith fell on top of him. Forte’ returned and touched the ball 16X for 61 total yards. His toughness is recognized at Halas Hall.

“Of course we knew he was a tough guy,” said coach Lovie Smith. He’s a competitor and it’s not like he surprises us with anything he does.”

Head coach Lovie Smith says Forte’s injury is not serious. He will be ready a week from Monday when the Bears host the Packers.

Fullback Jason McKie (quad) and receiver Marty Booker (ribs) are two healing veterans that will benefit from a 10-day break and could get themselves ready to play the Packers.

WOLFE SEASON OVER
Running back and special teams tackle leader Garrett Wolfe is the seventh Bear to go on injured reserve. A pulled hamstring on the opening kickoff against Jacksonville a week ago costs Wolfe the final three games.

He has developed into a quality coverage tackler on special teams leading the unit with 21 stops until his injury. Wolfe’s roster spot goes to former Colts third rounder Gilbert Gardner. The former Purdue star played linebacker and special teams with the Titans last season and the Lions this season.

WHY NO JONES?
In one of the unanswered questions this season, many wonder why veteran running back Kevin Jones is not involved in the offense. Thirty-two of his 34 carries this season came in the first six games, including 13 for 45 yards against the Colts in the opener.

He did not play against the Vikings in October at Soldier Field, and then had a single carry each against the Lions and Titans before being inactive in four straight games. He asked to replace Garrett Wolfe on special team’s coverage and made a tackle against the Saints.

“Kevin has requested to do anything to help the team since Day 1,” said head coach Lovie Smith. “He’s been the ultimate team player for us like all of our running backs.20How often do you see a team with three running backs that play on special teams? I don’t think you can tell me another team where that’s the case.”

Jones is completely healthy following a late season ACL tear in his knee while playing with the Lions last season.

PLAYOFF HOPES
All of the NFC teams involved in the playoff hunt will play two games before the Bears play again a week from Monday.

The key game is Minnesota’s trip to Arizona Sunday. Remember, the Vikings have to lose two of their final three games and the Bears have to win their final two to win the NFC North. The Vikings finish at home against the Falcons and Giants. The Bears wrap with the Texans in Houston. The wildcard scenario for the Bears is a long shot.

STATISTICAL NUGGET
Under Lovie Smith, the Bears are 9-and-1 at home when the temperature is 32-degrees or less. That includes a nine-game winning streak. The only loss came in 2004 against Houston

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