Herbert is a breakout candidate based on his unique skill-set and possible (if not likely) lead role in the Bears run game. Statistically, Herbert was actually top 10 among qualified RBs in yards per carry, yards before and after contact per rush, explosive run rate and avoided tackle rate. The guy can move, and while he's not a dynamic pass catcher or physical bowling ball, he is very capable of making the most out of limited touches. In eight career games with at least 12 carries, he's had at least 10 PPR points six times and 15-plus five times. He'll be helped greatly by sharing touches with quarterback Justin Fields (it'll drive defenses crazy), plus the Bears offensive line may finally be a strength. Herbert is a Round 7 or 8 value pick since he has potential for plenty of yardage and a handful of touchdowns.
Bears' Khalil Herbert: Season-high rushing total in loss
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Herbert rushed 18 times for 103 yards and brought in four of five targets for 19 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday.
Herbert took advantage of a highly exploitable matchup against a short-handed Broncos defense while logging season highs in carries and receiving yards. The third-year back was encouragingly the clear leader in rushes for the Bears after splitting work fairly closely with rookie Roschon Johnson over the first three games, outpacing his teammate by 13 totes Sunday. Given Herbert's performance, it's likely he spearheads the backfield in a Week 5 road matchup against the Commanders on Thursday night.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Continues splitting backfield work
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Herbert rushed seven times for 31 yards and caught both of his targets for four yards in Sunday's 41-10 loss to the Chiefs.
Herbert continued splitting backfield duties with Roschon Johnson (8-38-0), receiving nine combined touches to the latter's 10. Neither back stood out on the stat sheet, and it appears that Chicago will continue its backfield time-share for the foreseeable future. The reduced workload limits Herbert's fantasy potential ahead of next Sunday's matchup against the Broncos.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Splits work with Johnson in loss
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Herbert rushed seven times for 35 yards and secured one of three targets for a 23-yard reception in the Bears' 27-17 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Herbert had a new No. 2 running back mate in Roschon Johnson after D'Onta Foreman was made a healthy inactive, and the two players had a relatively close split in workload. Johnson saw four carries and recorded a pair of receptions in his own right, although Herbert was the more productive of the two overall with a 58-42 advantage in total yards. Given he was solid with his opportunities Sunday, Herbert should have a chance to continue leading the backfield, at least by a narrow margin, in a Week 3 road matchup against the Chiefs.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: RBs to Sit
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I would still start Herbert over Roschon Johnson if I had to choose a Bears running back in Week 2 at Tampa Bay, but this could be the last time we say that. Herbert struggled in Week 1 against Green Bay with nine carries for 27 yards and three catches for 37 yards on five targets. Johnson, meanwhile, had five carries for 20 yards and a touchdown and six catches for 35 yards on seven targets, with most of his playing time coming late in the blowout 38-20 loss. For this week, I would try to avoid both Chicago running backs against a tough Buccaneers run defense on the road. Just keep an eye on the usage for both running backs, and Johnson could be on the verge of taking the starting job.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Modest Week 1 showing
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Herbert rushed nine times for 27 yards and caught three of five targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Packers.
Herbert led Chicago's offense in touches, but his total was just one higher than backup Roschon Johnson, who tallied 55 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut. With quarterback Justin Fields also rushing nine times and D'Onta Foreman garnering five totes, Herbert has competition for carries despite his top tailback status. In Week 2, he'll face a Buccaneers defense that finished 15th against the run last season.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Sleeper RBs
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We'll see how the Bears use their running back rotation this week with Herbert, Roschon Johnson and D'Onta Foreman, but Herbert should be the starter in a plus matchup. And when he's gotten work in his career he's been successful. In eight career games with at least 12 carries, he's had at least 10 PPR points six times and 15-plus PPR points five times. One of those was against the Packers in 2021 when he had 19 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 15 yards on three targets. Consider Herbert a flex option in all formats in Week 1.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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We'll see how the Bears use their running back rotation this week with Herbert, Roschon Johnson and D'Onta Foreman, but Herbert should be the starter in a plus matchup. And when he's gotten work in his career he's been successful. In eight career games with at least 12 carries, he's had at least 10 PPR points six times and 15-plus PPR points five times. One of those was against the Packers in 2021 when he had 19 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 15 yards on three targets. Consider Herbert a flex option in all formats in Week 1.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Stuffed by Bills
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Herbert took two carries for a loss of one yard and caught one of two targets for three yards in Saturday's preseason finale against Buffalo.
Herbert got the start and the first carry, but D'Onta Foreman also worked with the first-string offense prior to exiting for the injury tent. Foreman's injury didn't appear too serious, and he'll likely be available Week 1 against Green Bay. Herbert is the favorite to start that game and lead a backfield committee.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Sharing first-team reps
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Herbert and D'Onta Foreman split most of the first-team reps Wednesday during the first practice of training camp, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
The even breakdown of reps is no major surprise, though it's possible one of the two backs pulls ahead of the other before Week 1, and/or another running back joins the fray. In addition to signing Foreman this offseason, the Bears added fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson and special teamer/passing-down specialist Travis Homer. In other words, there's no lack of competition for Hebert, who averaged 5.7 yards on 129 carries last season but caught only nine passes in 13 games.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Gets competition via draft
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Herbert is expected to compete with D'Onta Foreman and 2023 fourth-round draft choice Roschon Johnson for backfield duties, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.
Going into the preseason, Foreman may have the edge for leading the Bears on early downs due to his size and past NFL success. Herbert had been looking like the clear No. 2 until the team drafted Johnson. Scout John Syty spoke glowingly about Johnson's leadership, intangibles and value on special teams. Although Herbert still should be the favorite to start the season as the backup running back, Johnson may have an opportunity to push Herbert for snaps.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Competition arrives
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Herbert is likely to be in a running back committee after the Bears signed D'Onta Foreman in free agency Thursday, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.
Before Foreman was signed, Travis Homer and Trestan Ebner were the only other running backs on the Bears' roster. Last year, Herbert rushed for 5.7 yards per carry, but he averaged 10 rushing attempts per game while David Montgomery averaged 12.5 carries. It's unclear whether Herbert or Foreman will be the lead back, but with Foreman weighing 235 pounds, he would seem the more likely candidate for early down and goal-line work. However, nothing is certain at this point except Herbert now has serious competition for work.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Strong rushing totals in 2022
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Herbert rushed 10 times for 50 yards in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18 , and he ended the season with 129 carries for 731 yards and four touchdowns along with nine receptions, 57 yards and another score over 13 games played.
Herbert was beginning to see his role in the offense increase beginning in Week 7 before he suffered a hip injury that caused him to miss four games beginning in Week 10. Upon his return, he was back to seeing a smaller number of touches that reflected his early-season usage. After rushing for 4.2 yards per carry in 2021, he was over a full yard per carry better this year, and he often looked to be a superior runner over lead back David Montgomery. With Montgomery set to hit free agency, Herbert, who's inked through 2024, may move right into the lead-back role for 2023 if his teammate isn't re-signed.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Limited role in loss
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Herbert rushed five times for 31 yards in the Bears' 41-10 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
In a game during which Chicago ran just 43 offensive plays, the team had just 11 rushing attempts to split between Herbert and David Montgomery. In the Week 18 finale against the Vikings, Herbert will likely remain in a backup role to Montgomery, which will result in an uncertain workload.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Inefficient on ground
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Herbert rushed six times for seven yards in the Bears' 35-13 loss to the Bills on Sunday.
Herbert also caught two of three targets, but his receptions lost four yards. Coming back after missing the past four games, he had 10 fewer carries than David Montgomery. Although Herbert has a favorable Week 17 matchup against the Lions, he'll need to see increased usage in order to be a solid fantasy option.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Expected back in Week 16
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Herbert (hip) is expected to return to practice this week and is on track to be activated from IR ahead of Saturday's game against the Bills, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.
"He is cleared, ready to go," coach Matt Eberflus said Monday of the running back, who last suited up for game action Nov. 13. "Like we said last week, he's got all his jumps, his speed. He's been cutting, he's been moving. He looks great. We're excited about his return." Prior to injuring his hip, Herbert logged 108 carries for 643 yards and four TDs, while adding six catches for 62 yards and a receiving score in 10 games. In his looming return to action, the 2021 sixth-rounder is set to rejoin a backfield timeshare with David Montgomery, a context that gives Herbert some fantasy utility down the stretch.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Could return this season
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Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said Wednesday that he doesn't believe Herbert (hip) is dealing with a season-ending injury, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The Bears placed Herbert on injured reserve Tuesday after the running back was forced out of Sunday's loss to the Lions after he suffered the injury in question on his final kickoff return of the day. The move to IR makes Herbert ineligible to play until Week 16, but Eberflus is apparently hopeful that the running back can make it back to action at some point during the final three weeks of the season. While Herbert is out of commission, top back David Montgomery stands to see increased opportunities, and Trestan Ebner should step up as his top backup starting with Sunday's game at Atlanta.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Goes on IR
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The Bears placed Herbert (hip) on injured reserve Tuesday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Herbert will be sidelined for at least four games with an injury he sustained during his final kickoff return in the Bears' Week 10 loss to the Lions. Despite playing second fiddle to David Montgomery this season, Herbert has been one of the NFL's most productive backup running backs, as he compiled 643 yards and four touchdowns on 108 carries to go with six receptions for 62 yards and another score through his first 10 games. With Herbert sidelined until at least Week 16, Montgomery should benefit from a slight bump in his projected workload, while third-stringer Trestan Ebner steps into the top backup role as a change-of-pace option behind Montgomery.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Suffers hip injury in Week 10
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Herbert sustained a hip injury during Sunday's 31-30 loss the Lions.
Prior to being ruled out late in the fourth quarter, Herbert notched 10 carries for 57 yards and two kick returns for 67 yards. His production on the ground outpaced backfield mate David Montgomery (nine rushes for 37 yards), but both RBs were well behind quarterback Justin Fields' 13 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns. Now with a health concern in tow, Herbert will be a player to monitor as the Bears prepare for next Sunday's game in Atlanta.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Lowest output in four weeks
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Herbert rushed seven times for 23 yards in the Bears' 35-32 loss to the Dolphins on Sunday.
After posting at least 74 scrimmage yards in three straight contests, Herbert had little room to run against a Miami defense that's held opposing running backs to 70 yards per game. With his rushing attempts fluctuating between four and 20 in any given week, Herbert's usage is difficult to predict. However, his typical weekly production since Week 3 makes him a high-floor fantasy option a majority of the time.
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Bears' Khalil Herbert: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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David Montgomery is still slightly ahead of Herbert when it comes to the Fantasy value of the Chicago backfield, but Herbert is making a strong case to be the No. 1 option for the Bears. In his past two games against the Patriots and Cowboys, Herbert has 28 carries for 161 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for 25 yards and a touchdown on two targets. He scored 15 PPR points in each outing, and hopefully he stays hot this week against the Dolphins. Herbert should be considered a flex option in all leagues.
