In a sign that the Bears don’t expect running back Matt Forte to make a quick return from his high ankle sprain, a veteran running back is on his way to Chicago.
Steve Slaton, who was cut by the Dolphins on September 1, is traveling today and will work out for the Bears on Saturday, according to the Chicago Tribune.
A third-round draft pick of the Texans in 2008, Slaton had an outstanding rookie season, carrying 268 times for 1,282 yards and nine touchdowns, and catching another 50 passes for 377 yards. He’s been injured and ineffective for both the Texans and the Dolphins since then, but Slaton is only 26 years old and has talent as a ball carrier, and he could make sense for the Bears while Forte is out.
It could also make sense for the Bears to bring back Kahlil Bell, who spent training camp with the Bears but was cut when he refused to take a pay cut. Bell already knows the offense, and the fact that he hasn’t caught on anywhere else since the Bears cut him may convince him to agree to play for the league minimum.
While Forte is out, Michael Bush will start at running back for the Bears. Armando Allen is currently the only other running back on the Bears’ 53-man roster.