When Bears running back Matt Forte was ruled out Saturday with a knee injury, it officially created an opportunity for the team’s fourth-round pick.
No, not that one.
Ka’Deem Carey hasn’t gotten a handoff all season, but he’s prepared for that to change Monday night, even if he’s coming off the bench behind rookie Jeremy Langford.
“I’m very excited I might touch the field and get an opportunity out there,” he said Saturday at Halas Hall.
On the practice field, he’s mimicked the opposing team’s running backs, from Adrian Peterson to, this week, the Chargers’ Melvin Gordon. But he’s been a disappointment on Sundays; Carey has been inactive four times, and did not play in one of the three games in which he suited up.
He’ll be Langford’s backup in San Diego. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase said this week that he was still trying to get Antone Smith, signed Oct. 12, caught up on the playbook.
For the first time since he was drafted in 2014, Carey’s family, including his parents and siblings, will watch him play in San Diego after making the drive from Arizona.
And he might actually play, even if Langford figures to get most of the touches in place of Forte. The veteran didn’t practice all week after hurting his right knee Sunday, and will miss his first game since Week 3 of the 2012 season.
“He might get winded sometimes,” Carey said of Langford. “When I go out there, there ain’t going to be no slacking, either.”
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Email: pfinley@suntimes.com
