Bear DAHN!
A nasty injury stifled a scintillating game from Bears running back David Montgomery in Week 4 due to an awkward hit sustained while rushing up the middle against the Lions’ defense. Montgomery had put up 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns before his departure.
The original hopes after Montgomery’s exit were that the running back had not suffered a significant injury. Those hopes rang true after an MRI confirmed a knee sprain and not an MCL/ACL tear. Montgomery is expected to return in the 2021-2022 NFL season but will miss 4-5 weeks, as reported by Dan Graziano via Twitter. Usually, a Montgomery absence would mean a spike in value and usage for Bears’ change-of-pace back Tarik Cohen. Cohen has been on the PUP list the entire season with no news of returning in the immediate future. These injuries are allowing for some intriguing windows of opportunity to open. Let’s dive in.
Redraft Impact
Montgomery was on the field for 62% of the Bears’ offensive snaps before being forced out of the contest against the Lions. Damien Williams is the prominent next man up on the depth chart but suffered a minor injury (thigh bruise) himself during the game. Williams rushed eight times for 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 4 and should be considered the starting running back for the Bears until Montgomery returns. Williams can provide immediate flex value with low-end RB1 potential due to his touchdown upside on a rush-heavy Bears offense.
The Bears’ passing volume is not predicated on the loss of Montgomery. Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney will be reliant on efficient quarterback play and calculated play calling, two things that seem highly unlikely for the Bears this season. Mooney does have an increase in value entering Week 5, but that is due in part to his rapport with rookie quarterback Justin Fields. If Fields remains under center in the coming weeks, his rushing ability could steal some volume away from the running backs. However, Andy Dalton will return to the starting role when healthy.
Montgomery is a stash and hold while he recuperates. The injury may have a lingering impact when he returns to the field, but his supreme start to 2021 warrants a roster spot. Montgomery is currently ranked as the RB11 in PPR scoring and is averaging 14.9 fantasy points per game through four contests. Keep Montgomery on your bench in hopes he can return at a full clip during the fantasy playoffs.
Dynasty Impact
Dynasty managers that have been stashing Damien Williams as a handcuff now have a prime opportunity to sell high. Williams assumed production will not continue when Montgomery is healthy. Williams has been on the field for just 27.5% of the Bears’ total offensive snaps in 2021, including Montgomery’s injury game. Be prepared to take advantage of any managers that mistake Williams’ incoming usage spike as a lasting role.
The most intriguing asset of this unfortunate injury is sixth-round 2021 NFL Draft pick, Khalil Herbert. Listed as the Bears’ third-string running back on ESPN, Herbert is currently the only back on the Bears roster without an injury designation. At 5’9” and 212 lbs., Herbert smashed defenders as a hulking fifth-year senior after transferring from Kansas to Virginia Tech. Herbert was a defender’s worst nightmare in his final collegiate year, averaging 4.74 yards after contact. The rookie is a raw pass catcher and blocker for the position. Herbert will be thrown into the fire immediately and be asked to do both behind the Bears’ inferior offensive line. Sixth-round running backs don’t usually break out in a backup role, but it will be intriguing to see if Herbert can carve out a niche for himself during Montgomery’s absence.
Much respect, thank you for reading. If you have any continued thoughts and would like to share, I am always available for an open conversation on Twitter: @PsychWardFF or Instagram: @psychwardff. Stay up to date on all of my content on Linktree: @PsychWardFF.
Join me and the #DFFArmy to keep in step with exclusive fantasy football content by clicking HERE. #AlwaysBeBuilding
