D'Onta Foreman Takes on Familiar Role of Backfield Reliever

It's same-old same-old to Bears running back D'Onta Foreman.

Forgotten about and watching games as an inactive on Sundays, suddenly he's being counted on against the Minnesota Vikings to start in place of injured Khalil Herbert and backup Roschon Johnson.

"This is not my first rodeo, this is not my first go-round," Foreman said. "I've been thrown in the fire plenty of times and I've excelled. So I'm taking the same approach, and I don't expect anything different."

It's a time-worn script, first in Tennessee as backup behind Derrick "King" Henry, then as the backup in Carolina to Christian McCaffrey.

In both spots he produced, and thinks he will again. He had 914 yards rushing last year in nine starts and 17 total games for the Panthers once McCaffrey had been dealt to San Francisco. Now it's injuries getting him playing time.

"It's a part of how things go," Foreman said. "It's a game of football. People get injured, unfortunately.

"I really care about those guys regardless of the situation, so I never want to see that happen to anybody. But at the end of the day, it's a part of football. So you've got to go out there and be prepared when you get your opportunity."

Foreman came into the league in 2017 as a third-round pick by Houston but injuries early in his career deprived him of a chance to become a regular player. In Carolina last year, he had started only four games for his career until taking over for McCaffrey.

This year with the Bears it was thought to be a running back by committee situation, but the committee quickly became Herbert and Johnson, with Foreman inactive after signing a free agent contract for $2 million and one year.

So he watched and he knows there are doubters. He doesn't care.

"Nah, no pressure," Foreman said. "I think it's what I do, honestly. I think a lot of people—just stuff I read, stuff I see—a lot of people are counting me out. A lot of people said what I can't do, what I couldn't do and why I'm in the position I'm in.

"But I think I got my opportunity to go show it. So I'm looking forward to it for sure."

What the Bears saw from him in brief preseason glimpse was pure power at 6-foot, 235 pounds

"I think there's a ton to like," offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said. "His play style. His downhill running. His violent, explosive gains. So we're excited to see what he can put out there this week."

Foreman might not be the pass blocker Roschon Johnson is or the pass receiver Khalil Herbert and Johnson have shown they can be but his contribution could be in power running with an occasional block.

"Just whatever they need me to do," he said. "I think I said that before. Whatever my role is, I'll excel in the role. I think I've been in my role thus far, and I had to take it day by day.

"And when I say excel in it, just try to take advantage of my opportunities in practice and just do what I had to do to be a supportive teammate. But now it's time to go. So I'm looking forward to that."

He admits that after sitting on the side for four weeks there is plenty of built up desire to prove himself. Again.

"I mean, that's not even the first time that's happened," he said of being shelved after the opener. "It's really been before that. So honestly I was prepared for that moment. I'm prepared for this moment. And like I said, this is what I do. I'm calm. I'm confident. And I've just got to go show it.

"I feel like a lot of people are counting me out. I've been seeing a lot of stuff about myself. So I've got to go prove something."