Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert expected to miss multiple weeks with ankle injury

The Chicago Bears had almost everything go right for them in their 40-20 victory over the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football.

However, the victory came with a cost.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, running back Khalil Herbert is expected to miss multiple weeks with the ankle injury he sustained on the first offensive possession in the second half against the Commanders.

On third-and-5 with 9:33 left in the third quarter, Justin Fields escaped the pocket and attempted to throw a pass to Herbert, but the throw was off. Herbert tried adjusting his body but his right cleat got stuck in the ground. The third-year running back bent awkwardly and was unable to make the catch.

This is one of the most freak injuries I've ever seen from Khalil Herbert! pic.twitter.com/ZaJOi5m4Ww

— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 6, 2023

Herbert had his right ankle heavily taped following the injury and came back into the game two drives later. On first-and-10 with 1:48 remaining in the third quarter, Herbert got the handoff and tried planting on that right ankle, but he couldn’t and was stopped for no gain.

Herbert ended the night with 10 carries for 76 yards, including a 34-yard gain that helped put the Bears in position to score their first field goal.

Rookie running back Roschon Johnson also couldn’t finish the game against the Commanders due to a concussion. His last offensive play was a 4-yard run to start the second quarter. Two plays prior he took a big hit on a 10-yard gain.

Roschon Johnson runpic.twitter.com/AU9MNuc7Ls

— ✶Ⓜ️𝕒𝕣𝕔𝕦𝕤 ▶️ ✶ (@_MarcusD3_) October 6, 2023

Travis Homer also was hurt against the Commanders with a hamstring injury, so fullback Khari Blasingame was forced to play the running back position. Blasingame finished with a career-high eight carries for 26 yards.

With three running backs injured, D’Onta Foreman is the next man up for the Bears. The veteran back has been a healthy scratch since Week 2 against the Buccaneers. He signed a 1-year, $2 million deal this past offseason.

Foreman has had a history of being productive when he has been asked to play. During the 2021 season, Foreman filled in for Derrick Henry, who fractured his foot and went on IR for nine weeks. Foreman signed with the Titans on Nov. 2 and finished with 112 carries, 497 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Christian McCaffrey played six games with the Panthers before being traded to the 49ers last season. Foreman took over and finished with 203 rushing attempts, 914 yards and five rushing touchdowns.

So if Foreman needs to be the featured back for an extended period of time, this won’t be new territory for the 6-year veteran.

The Bears also signed Darrynton Evans off the Dolphins’ practice squad, according to Pelissero. Evans was on the Bears last season. He played in six games, ran the ball 14 times and caught one pass for 97 total yards (64 rushing and 33 receiving).