The Chicago Bears have activated running back Khalil Herbert off of injured reserve ahead of their game against the Detroit Lions, the team announced Saturday, paving the way for the back to make his return to the field this Sunday.
Herbert, the Bears’ starting RB at the beginning of the year, has been out for the last month and a half dealing with an ankle injury.
He had a strong start to the 2023 season, accumulating a team-leading 272 rushing yards before suffering the ankle injury in Week 5.
Herbert was placed on injured reserve and missed five games. He was allowed to return to practice this week, initially in a limited capacity on Wednesday. However, Herbert fully participated in the next two days of practice, leading the team to activate him in time for Week 11.
While Herbert was on injured reserve, D’Onta Foreman led the group of Bears RBs filling his shoes, starting all five games Herbert missed and recording 80-plus yards in each of the last two weeks.
With Herbert’s return, it’s still uncertain how time will be divided between the two backs and the rest of the rushing corps going forward, beginning with Sunday’s game against the Lions.
Herbert also isn’t the only Bears starter expected to make his return on Sunday in Detroit. Quarterback Justin Fields, who has been recovering from a dislocated right thumb, is also set to make his first start since Week 6.
The Bears and Lions will start their game at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
