LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte missed practice on Wednesday because of a hyperextended right knee, but coach Marc Trestman sounded confident that Forte will play in Sunday’s NFC North divisional game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“I’m still optimistic that [Forte will play on Sunday],” Trestman said. “I feel pretty good that he’ll start getting some work tomorrow. We’ll see where he is at, but I’m going in optimistic.”
Forte hurt his knee last weekend in the Bears’ loss to the St. Louis Rams but managed to finish the game, gaining 117 all-purpose yards. Forte, the NFL’s sixth-leading rusher (851 yards) and third in yards from scrimmage (1,265), has been inactive only five times in his six seasons in the league.
Safety Anthony Walters and cornerback Derrick Martin were also sidelined on Wednesday.
Defensive tackles Stephen Paea (toe) and Jeremiah Ratliff (groin) were both limited during the workout. Paea sat out last week after re-injuring his toe in the Bears’ Week 11 victory over the Baltimore Ravens, while Ratliff has yet to make his 2013 debut after signing a one-year deal with the club on Nov. 2.
Trestman officially ruled out linebacker Lance Briggs (shoulder) and quarterback Jay Cutler (ankle) for the Vikings game.
