The Sports Xchange

Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte likely dodged a season-ending injury when he absorbed a direct hit on his right knee in the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

FOX Sports reported Forte has a sprained MCL, and the Bears don’t believe there is any ACL damage. Depending on the severity of the sprain, Forte could miss a month.

Forte left the game after catching a swing pass and running right, where he met Vikings safety Harrison Smith. Forte planted his legs and appeared ready to attempt a hurdle of a diving Smith, whose form tackle placed Smith’s shoulder pads and helmet on Forte’s knees.

He walked gingerly to the bench briefly before making his way with medical personnel to the locker room taking steps measured in inches, not feet.

Forte, 30, is in a contract year and was expected to be on the market as the Bears sit near the bottom of the NFC North – one game better than the 1-7 Lions, though Detroit’s only win was over the Bears.

Forte has 25 receptions and leads the team with 548 rushing yards. Without him Sunday, the offense was predominantly a passing attack, and rookie backup Jeremy Langford gave the Bears 12 carries for 46 yards.

Langford dropped a would-be first down from quarterback Jay Cutler on the last offensive snap from scrimmage that could have changed the final minutes of Sunday’s game drastically.