Khalil Herbert's Return Appears at Hand

Bears running back returns for full practice Thursday and could come off of injured reserve against the Lions.

The Bears running attack looks a step closer to full strength after Thursday's practice.

Besides the return of multidimensional threat Justin Fields, running back Khalil Herbert went through a full Thursday practice as he tries to come back from injured reserve this week, and it would be a good time to do this.

Herbert has been out since the Oct. 5 win over Washington due to an ankle/shin injury and had only practiced Wednesday on a limited basis before going through a full workout. The Bears on Thursday waived running back Darrynton Evans in anticipation of needing a roster spot.

His replacement as starter, D'Onta Foreman, has an ankle injury that has left him with limited participation both days of practice this week, although it's not to the point where he's missing practice entirely.

Herbert's return would be a huge boost in terms of breakaway speed as he was averaging 5.1 yards per carry and had the longest Bears run of the year, a 34-yarder.

"It was Washington I believe that he got hurt; he was cruishing it that night," offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. "So we're excited to get him back on the field. And exactly how much or all that looks like, I think that's kind of again we've got to figure that out. Who's all healthy, who's able to go and then on top of that how much can you go when you haven't played in a few weeks too."

The injury affecting the Bears most negatively continues to be middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds knee. He remains out of practice after he was injured against the Chargers three weeks ago. However, replacement Jack Sanborn was able to go through a full practice on Thursday after being limited Wednesday with an ankle injury.

Another linebacker, backup Noah Sewell, went on the injury report as limited due to a knee injury on Thursday.

There has been no change in the status of three Bears offensive players returning this week from injuries. Fields, guard Nate Davis and fullback Kharil Blasingame both went through second straight full practices.

Veteran linebacker Marcedes Lewis was given Thursday as a veteran's rest day and rookie cornerback Terell Smith had a second straight full practice so it appears he is headed back to availability after being out since Oct. 5 due to illness.

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