Matt Forte Injury Could Offset St. Louis Rams' Weak Run Defense Vs. Chicago Bears

Matt Forte injury news remains nebulous Tuesday morning; apparently he doesn't have a high ankle sprain, according to Mike Martz refugee and Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith, but nobody's sure yet whether he'll play Sunday when the St. Louis Rams visit the Bears at Soldier Field. If Forte's out, that would be good news for the Rams' struggling run defense, which has allowed 5.5 yards per carry in the team's first two weeks.

Without first-round pick Michael Brockers plugging up the middle of the defensive line—he could miss anywhere from two weeks to another month following a preseason injury—the Rams' run defense has been even more porous than it proved last season, when it allowed 4.8 yards per carry.

Of course, playing against reserves hasn't necessarily helped these Rams so far. Kevin Smith, the Detroit Lions' third-string running back, was forced into Week 1 duties when Jahvid Best and Mikel Leshoure were scratched and proceeded to run the ball 13 times for 62 yards and a touchdown; against the 49ers the next week, he managed 16 and 53. But Matt Forte remains one of the most dangerous running backs in football, and the Rams will have a lot of trouble stopping him if he's ready to go Sunday afternoon.