(670 The Score) The Bears will elevate veteran running back Lamar Miller to their active roster ahead of their matchup against the Vikings on Monday night, a source said. NFL Media first reported the news.
Miller, 29, missed all of last season after suffering a torn ACL that preseason. He was signed to the Bears' practice squad in late September, using that to get reacclimated after a year away from football.
A Pro Bowl selection while playing for the Texans in 2018, Miller has averaged 4.3 yards per carry over seven NFL seasons. His opportunity with the Bears comes after the team ruled out starting running back David Montgomery for Monday due to a concussion. Miller is expected to split carries with running backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Ryan Nall.
"When he was playing at his highest level, he was one of the best running backs in the NFL," Bears coach Matt Nagy said of Miller on Sunday. "To have a guy like that, to me there’s an excitement of the possibility of him being able to fill a role for us. I do love this story. I think that if he does get a chance to go out there and do something, it will be exciting for him and for us.”
The Bears are expected to make multiple roster moves official Sunday before the 3 p.m. CT deadline. Chicago could activate veteran offensive lineman Eric Kush, who was signed earlier this week.
Kush, 31, would offer the Bears an experienced replacement at center while allowing Alex Bars to potentially slide to his more familiar position of left guard.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.