Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, but very few teams have been hurt like the Chicago Bears. Not only has it hurt the team, but fantasy football managers have made a lot of roster changes because of that. One player who has missed a lot of time is RB Khalil Herbert, who looked like he could be a valuable fantasy RB this season.
However, just as Herbert was starting to produce, an ankle injury robbed fantasy managers of his services for the last few weeks. Will Herbert be back playing in Week 10, and what are the fantasy implications for D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, and Darrynton Evans if he does not?
Is Khalil Herbert Going To Play in Week 10?
It initially appeared that Herbert would be ready to go and back in Week 10 on Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers. But a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Thursday morning cast doubts on that. He has been a full participant this week, and while he is still not officially on the active roster, it seemed like Herbert would be activated and on the field.
According to Pelissero, the issue for Herbert is the short week and Chicago unable to get him full-speed reps. That has made it harder for him to feel comfortable on his ankle. While he is eligible to be activated ahead of tonight’s game, Pelissero said, “it does not seem like that is going to happen.”
With Justin Fields most likely not playing tomorrow after coach Matt Ebeflus talked about it on Wednesday, the Bears are not going to change their game plan.
“It’s not going to feel like it’s a different game plan by any means if we go one direction or the other,” offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said on Tuesday. What that means, is the Bears will rely on the ground game to try and get the job done against the Panthers.
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This could be a good matchup for the Bears, as the Panthers aren’t good at stopping the run. Carolina currently ranks 28th in yards allowed 131.8, but is very good against the pass. The Panthers are fifth against the pass (178.3 yards), and the Panthers could be ready to load the box and dare the Bears to throw the ball.
The timing of the injury was tough for Herbert, as he had rushed 28 times for 179 yards in his two games previous to getting injured. Even if he is healthy, expecting a huge workload would be asking a lot.
Editor’s note: Herbert was not activated before the deadline and will not play on Thursday Night Football against the Panthers.
Potential Fantasy Options If Herbert Is Out Include D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson, and Darrynton Evans
If Herbert can’t go, Foreman may be the guy to go with in this matchup. Foreman was a member of the Panthers last year, rushing for 939 yards. He had five games last year where he rushed for at least 100 yards, and he’s the type of physical running back who could have a big game against the Panthers.
In the game against the Saints last week, Foreman had 20 carries for 83 yards. Neither Roschon Johnson (two carries) nor Darrynton Evans (one carry) were involved heavily in the offense. Even if Herbert is good to go, don’t be surprised if Foreman is the guy who once again gets the majority of the carries. If Foreman is on the waiver wire in your league, this could be a perfect week to get him and have him in your lineup.
He has gotten at least 15 carries for 65 yards in three of his last four games. The report from Pelissero pushes Foreman as the main fantasy-relevant back for the Bears tonight, with Johnson and Evans seemingly touchdown-dependent deep-league options.