Running back Khalil Herbert will play for the first time in six weeks when the Bears face the Lions on Sunday, coach Matt Eberflus said Friday.
Herbert suffered an ankle injury that looked severe when he awkwardly tried to catch a pass from Justin Fields in a 40-20 victory against the Commanders on Oct. 5 at FedExField. To him, missing only five games was fortunate.
“Looking back at the video, it looks crazy,” Herbert said. “So that’s just God covering me and making sure that it was nothing crazy besides what it was. I’m just thankful to be able to be back and not be out for longer than I was.”
Herbert was just getting in a groove when he was injured. He had 10 carries for 76 yards (7.6 average) against the Commanders, four days after rushing for 103 yards on 18 carries against the Broncos.
“I feel like I’m right back where I was,” Herbert said. “I had five weeks off. So I’ve just been getting my body right, getting my mind right, and I’m feeling good.”
Herbert is the Bears’ best big-play threat, but statistically they covered for him while he was out. With D’Onta Foreman carrying much of the load, Bears running backs averaged 98.6 yards per game and 4.0 yards per carry, with four touchdowns, without Herbert. They had averaged 87.2 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry, with one touchdown, with Herbert.
Foreman rushed for 351 yards and three touchdowns on 81 carries in place of Herbert. But he is questionable for the game in Detroit with an ankle injury.
“It’s just going to be a heck of a group -effort,” Herbert said. “We’ve got guys in our room that can take it the distance and punish the defense. One guy goes out, another guy goes in. They’re going to be tired, but we’re going to be fresh. I feel like that’s a lot to -defend.”
Davis good to go
Guard Nate Davis (high ankle sprain) will start against the Lions after missing the last four games. Teven Jenkins will move from right guard to left guard, replacing veteran Cody Whitehair.
With Davis in and Jenkins moving to left guard, the Bears will have their eighth different starting offensive-line combination in 11 games — left tackle Braxton Jones, Jenkins, center Lucas Patrick, Davis and right tackle Darnell Wright.
But it’s also man-for-man the best line combination the Bears have had in Luke Getsy’s two seasons as offensive coordinator.
“I guess the healthiest is probably the case,” Getsy said.
“We’re excited to kind of finally get some extra pieces back and have some depth there. We’re excited to see, especially Nate. To get him back out there is going to be great.”
Injury report
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (knee) practiced on a limited basis Friday after not practicing Wednesday and Thursday and is questionable. He was uncertain whether he would be able to play Sunday but said “progress has been good,” and the team has gradually increased his workload.
Linebacker Jack Sanborn did not practice Friday because of an illness, but “he’s trending in the right direction,” Eberflus said. “Looks like he’ll be fine.”
Linebacker Noah Sewell (knee) is out and will miss a matchup against his brother Lions right tackle Penei Sewell.
Fullback Khari Blasingame (concussion) and cornerback Terell Smith (illness) practiced in full and are expected to be available.
Kramer returns
The Bears signed center Doug Kramer to the practice squad. Kramer was waived by the Cardinals, who had claimed him from the Bears on Nov. 7.
