Michael Bush Heading to IR, Bears Bringing Back Kahlil Bell
Dec 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Michael Bush (29) with the ball during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The 2012 season appears to be over for Michael Bush, latest in a long line of second running backs that the Bears have brought in to pair with Matt Forte which have failed to live up to expectations. Bush suffered a rib injury a couple of weeks back and appears he won’t be able to continue.
I wrote about it last night when I put Michael Bush on the Bears Week 15 Milk Carton for pulling a disappearing act in the biggest game of the season, a 21-13 loss to the Packers in which the Bears had a goal to go situation from the 1 yard line and couldn’t punch it in with Matt Forte while Bush stood on the sidelines. Apparently he was too hurt to play, but had to dress because the Bears inactive list was already full of guys who were more injured than Bush.
Bush will end his first season in a Bears uniform 114 carries for 411 yards (3.6 ypc) and 5 TD’s. It will be the lowest rushing average of his career. Blame the line, blame the scheme, blame the coordinator if you’d like, but also blame Bush. For a bruising runner, he often jumped trying to plunge for first downs rather than putting his shoulder down and driving the pile forward for a conversion. He also had a costly fumble vs the Texans that turned the momentum early and stalled another Bears drive in a critical game.
From my point of view, Bush had a very disappointing first season for the Bears. He was supposed to be a difference maker, not just a guy. Did he earn his hefty paycheck to ride shotgun on the Matt Forte Express? I’d rank him above Chester Taylor and Marion Barber, but that’s not saying much.
To provide some depth in the Bears backfield beside Matt Forte and Armando Allen, they’re bringing Kahlil Bell back for another turn. The Bears cut Bell back in August before a preseason game vs the New York Giants. He had a short stint with the Jets before getting cut recently.