The Bears are bringing a big name into their backfield, but he’ll have to prove he still has something left. They intend to sign veteran running back Lamar Miller to their practice squad, a source said, and he’ll get a chance to compete for a roster spot against Artavis Pierce and Ryan Nall.
Miller, 29, topped 1,000 yards rushing with the Dolphins in 2014 and the Texans in ‘16. He made his first Pro Bowl in 2018 with 973 yards (4.6 per carry) and five touchdowns for Houston in 2018, but hasn’t played since tearing his ACL in the 2019 preseason.
He was with the Patriots for the preseason this year, but was cut at the deadline.
Bears offensive coordinator Bill Lazor held the same job when Miller was with the Dolphins in 2014 and ‘15.
The Bears’ ground game got off to a strong start and ranked 11th after three games, but Cohen was an essential part of it. He is out for the season with a torn ACL.
The team called up Pierce from its practice squad for the game against the Colts this week, but is likely to lean heavily on David Montgomery rather than split Cohen’s role among Pierce, Nall and Cordarrelle Patterson.