| RB Ryan Grant (left) with former teammate Aaron Rodgers during happier times with the Packers. (US Presswire) |
While Bears coach Lovie Smith insisted RB Matt Forte does not have a high-ankle sprain, the team's actions are suggesting otherwise.
CBS' Jason La Canfora said via Twitter Tuesday that free agent RB Ryan Grant was to work out for the team at Halas Hall on Tuesday afternoon and that Forte is out at least another game.
The Bears already have three backs active, but this workout could also say something more about the health or performance at the position beyond Forte's availability short-term or long-term.
Smith insisted Monday that Michael Bush was OK, but Bush had 14 first-half rushing attempts Sunday agianst the Rams and only four in the second half. He left for good with the game still in question, 13-6, after 18 carries. Kahlil Bell finished with 10 carries in his first game back with the team.
"We have a lot of guys that got a little banged up yesterday, as a I said, from the physical play of the game," Smith said Monday. "But no, we were playing Kahlil Bell before that.
"Mike took some good shots. He came out one play on a hard hit but it was that type of game. It was good to see Kahlil Bell get some reps. Kahlil can do some of the same things we ask Michael to. I still think there’s a place for Armando Allen, too, which gives you a totally different body type plan."
Bush took a shot to the head but did return briefly.
The question is whether there is a place for Grant, the former Packer. He comes from a passing offense and could provide pass blocking in the backfield that the Bears need considering their struggling offensive line.
When Bush arrived at Halas Hall as a free agent, he said he considered pass blocking one of his greatest strengths. But he got beat on one pass rush by Chris Long on Sunday for a sack.
Grant has 4,016 rushing yards on 924 attempts and 92 career receptions for 726 yards. He started 14 games last year for the Packers in their 15-1 regular season. He had a season-ending ankle injury in 2010 but is healty. The Lions had given Grant a workout without signing him.
The Packers cut the 29-year-old Grant after getting him to restructure his contract and take a $1 million pay cut. They saved almost $2 million in roster bonus when he didn't make the team.
If the Bears sign Grant, it will also be ironic considering the Packers have former Bear Cedric Benson in their backfield.
Follow Bears reporter Gene Chamberlain on Twitter: @CBSBears.