The Bears had an extended break to prepare to face the Patriots after losing to the Commanders on Thursday night in Week 6 and one of the tweaks they made to their offense was expanding the amount of designed runs for quarterback Justin Fields.

Fields made the most of those opportunities and finished the night with 14 carries for 82 yards, including five third-down runs that turned into first downs. The added wrinkle of Fields running the ball had a ripple effect on the entire offense. David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert had strong nights running the ball while Fields converted five more third downs by throwing the ball.

Other reports said Fields had 11 designed runs on the right. Next up for the Bears is the Cowboys on the road in Week 8. With his rushing totals alone, Fields becomes a relevant QB option in just about any style of league, especially if you've been riding with Russell Wilson or Matt Ryan to this point.

“We're going to go with the hot hand,” said HC Matt Eberflus when asked about the team’s running back rotation moving forward. “Who's ever hot right there, we're going to stay with him and go from there.”

Related players: David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert

A hot hand approach signifies a slight change, according to the story. Previously the Bears had deployed a steady rotation between David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert. The Bears would give Montgomery two or three series in a row, then use Herbert for one series to give Montgomery a breather. After six games, however, it’s Herbert’s 6.4 YPC average that’s outpaced Montgomery’s 4.0 rate, the story added. The story also said Monty is a better pass blocker and could still be a bell cow, but it seems like if Herbert gets into a groove, he'll likely get more opportunities.

Bears’ RB David Montgomery was upgraded today to limited practice after not practicing Wednesday due to his ankle injury.

Related Players: Khalil Herbert

It's certainly not time to cut ties with Khalil Herbert quite yet, as Montgomery isn't a full-go for Sunday. Herbert has been incredibly efficient when given opportunities, averaging 6.1 yards per carry and 7.4 yards per reception when on the field. It's not farfetched to assume that Herbert has earned a role in the offense even if/when Montgomery returns to the lineup.

Bears Wednesday injury report
DNP: David Montgomery (ankle - no knee listed this week), Jaylon Johnson (quad), Dane Cruikshank (hamstring), Jaylon Jones (illness)

Related players: Khalil Herbert

Monty's biggest injury is his ankle at this point and he's not off to a great start this week with a DNP. Herbert would again get a bulk of the workload and be a possible RB1 if Monty can't go in Week 5.

The Bears have ruled out RB David Montgomery for Sunday’s game at the Giants.

Related Players: Khalil Herbert

Khalil Herbert has proved that he can handle the load with Montgomery sidelined, including his 169 scrimmage yards he accrued in Week 3. Herbert can safely be played as a fringe RB1 option against the Giants.

Bears running back David Montgomery didn’t practice Wednesday, as expected, three days after suffering an injury in the Bears’ 23-20 win against the Texans.

Montgomery hurt his right ankle Sunday when, in the first quarter, he was pushed by Texans safety Jalen Pitre back onto defensive tackle Michael Dwumfour, who rolled up on his leg. The Bears first said that Montgomery had both a knee and ankle injury, and repeated as much on the injury report Wednesday. Eberflus said Monday that the concern was with his ankle, not his knee.

Related players: Khalil Herbert

Monty will need to log some practice time this week, but it's looking more likely that Herbert could have another big role in Week 4, even if Montgomery plays.

Bears RB David Montgomery is still considered day-to-day per head coach Matt Eberflus.

Related players: Khalil Herbert

Herbert went off in Week 3 after Montgomery left the game early against the Texans. Herbert would be a must-start and possible RB1 against the Giants if Monty has to sit out Week 4. We just reported today Herbert should get a consistent workload even when Monty is active and would at least be a flex play. But this is a situation to monitor for owners of both players.

Khalil Herbert will have ample opportunity for a consistent workload no matter how much time Montgomery may have to miss.

Related players: David Montgomery

Herbert went off when Monty left the game in Week 3, but seems like he'll get a safe workload to at least make him a flex play most weeks when Montgomery is healthy. The Bears are going to have to lean on their run game as they work out the passing game, the story said.

Bears RB David Montgomery (shoulder/groin/glute) did not practice Wednesday.

Related Player: Khalil Herbert

This was not expected so it bears monitoring.

The Chicago Bears activated running back David Montgomery off injured reserve in advance of Monday night's game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced.

Montgomery, 24, has been out since he suffered a sprained knee in a Week 4 victory over the Detroit Lions.

Related players: Khalil Herbert

Herbert excelled in Montgomery's absence, averaging over 4.5 yards per rushing attempt. Montgomery and Herbert are both expected to receive ample playing time against the Steelers. A report earlier today from a Bears beat writer said Montgomery could get a bulk of the RB work, but it's hard to imagine Herbert won't be involved as well.