Bears' Matt Forte, Pernell McPhee Out, Alshon Jeffery In Against Rams
By Chris Emma--
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (CBS) -- Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery will play Sunday against the Rams, while running back Matt Forte, receiver Eddie Royal and linebacker Pernell McPhee didn't travel to St. Louis.
The Bears' inactives list includes Forte, who is nursing an MCL strain suffered in the loss to Minnesota on Nov. 1. It will be rookie running back Jeremy Langford in the backfield against the Rams.
Jeffery missed the team's Thursday practice with a groin "tweak" suffered Wednesday. He continued through practice but wasn't feeling well enough for Thursday and spent the day getting treatment.
For Forte, Sunday in St. Louis marks just his sixth career game missed. On Friday, he spoke honestly about the injury and his concerns for long-term health.
"If you aren't fully healed up and you go out there, you could take one step forward and then get injured and take five steps back," Forte said. "That's not good to come back for one game and then be out for fix or six. You obviously don't want to do something like that."
In Monday's 22-19 win over the Chargers, Langford recorded 142 all-purpose yards -- 72 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards -- in his first game as the featured back. The Bears also utilized second-year running back Ka'Deem Carey out of the backfield.
Both Royal and McPhee have battled knee injuries the past two weeks. This marks McPhee's first absence with the Bears.
The Bears' full inactives list includes Royal, Forte, McPhee, receiver Deonte Thompson, safety Harold Jones-Quartey, center Hroniss Grasu and defensive lineman Ziggy Hood.
Kickoff between the Bears and Rams comes at noon from the Edward Jones Dome.
