David Montgomery trending in the right direction for Vikings game

Bears running back David Montgomery was limited in practice for a second consecutive day Friday after missing a week with an ankle injury and is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Vikings.

At a glance, it appears he’s more likely to play than not.

“It felt great,” Montgomery said when asked how the ankle responded to practicing Thursday.

Coach Matt Eberflus, who said Friday that practices are key to determining if an injured player can go, also was encouraged. Montgomery seems to have passed the eye test.

“He’s looked good,” Eberflus said. “It’s positive. It’s real positive. And he’s looked good and is moving around well and has a good spirit about him. He has brightness in his eyes. I think he’s excited about getting going.”

Montgomery has 35 carries for 159 yards (4.5 average) and no touchdowns over three games this season. Against the Packers in his last complete game, he had 15 carries for 122 yards. The following week, he sprained his ankle in the first half against the Texans after three carries for 11 yards.

Elsewhere on the Bears’ injury report, linebacker Matt Adams (hamstring) and tight end Ryan Griffin (Achilles) are cleared to play after missing the last two games. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson (quadriceps) and safety Dane Cruikshank (hamstring) are doubtful.

Line dancing

It might be a bit of gamesmanship, but Eberflus left open the possibility of additional changes on the interior offensive line in the wake of Cody Whitehair’s knee injury, which put him on injured reserve.

Lucas Patrick, who had been rotating with Teven Jenkins at right guard, replaced Whitehair against the Giants. That lineup — with Patrick at left guard, Sam Mustipher at center and Jenkins at right guard — is the most likely scenario Sunday.

But Patrick also has been working at center and could play there. Whatever the lineup, everyone has to play better after the Giants sacked Justin Fields six times.

“We’re looking at everything,” Eberflus said. “We had to switch people around to make sure we had backups at right, center and left. So we’re moving guys around, and there will be a combination that we decide in the next four weeks.”

Mr. Blackwell

Undrafted rookie cornerback Josh Blackwell didn’t join the Bears until Sept. 1, when they claimed him off waivers after the Eagles cut him. But he quickly has earned the trust of special-teams coordinator Richard Hightower, with more reps in each game so far.

It paid off when Blackwell forced a fumble on a punt against the Giants and recovered the ball.

“I came in with the idea of playing mostly special teams, and I wanted to make the most of it,” the 5-11, 180-pound Blackwell said. “So to make a play like that for my teammates is unreal. My fourth game in the NFL, to make play like that . . . my confidence goes up for sure. It shows that I’m meant to be there and I can play in this league at a high level.”