Bears running to Plan B: Peterson

For now, the Bears will continue their playoff run with Adrian Peterson as the main man in the running game.

Cedric Benson officially will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery soon on his damaged left ankle.

Peterson, a six-year veteran, is a career backup, who usually has been No. 3 on the depth chart and has carried the ball a total of 185 times, never more than 76 in any season.

Only once in a game has he had more than the 17 carries (for 55 yards) he got against Denver on Sunday. In the only start of his career, Oct. 19, 2003, Peterson carried 16 times for 55 yards before suffering a season-ending sprained ankle.

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound sixth-round pick from Georgia Southern has 189 rushing yards this season on 52 carries for a 3.6-yard average, with a long run of 11 yards.

None of those numbers are very impressive for a featured ball carrier. But Peterson has performed myriad tasks well enough in his career to earn the respect of coaches and teammates and keep the front office from rushing to sign another runner.

Rookie Garrett Wolfe, who has just 9 carries for 31 yards, moves into the backup role.

In an emergency, fullback Jason McKie could be utilized as a ball carrier, but he has just 15 carries in six seasons, including 3 this year.

The Bears say as long as their remaining backs stay healthy they will not rush to sign another running back.

"We feel comfortable moving Adrian Peterson into the No. 1 slot," Bears coach Lovie Smith said. "He's a guy that deserves an opportunity to get more playing time. He's done everything we've always asked him to do."

It remains to be seen if Peterson can withstand the rigors of 20 carries a game, but he actually gives the Bears more versatility in the featured role. He's tied for second on the team with 33 receptions and is adept at pass protection.

"He has (been) our No. 1 third-down back," Smith said. "He has good hands, (with) protection and all of that, he's been solid. And he's a good runner, too. We think we're getting a guy that can do it all, and I'm anxious to see him in a role where he's getting more carries."

Peterson entered this season with an outstanding 4.7-yard average per carry, 10th best among active players with at least 100 attempts. He also had more special-teams tackles (68) in the previous three seasons than any Bears player.

Peterson's 4-yard touchdown run in Sunday's comeback victory brought the Bears to within 34-27 with 5:17 left and exemplified the effort and desire that characterize his game.

In the middle of a scrum just short of the goal line that resembled rugby more than football, Peterson stayed on his feet, kept his legs pumping and bulled his way into the end zone with a push from several offensive linemen.

"Everyone kept pushing, and Adrian just never gave up," guard Roberto Garza said. "Every time he touched the football (Sunday), on all his runs, he never went down with one guy. He kept fighting.

"That kid's got a lot of power and a lot of drive to try to make something happen. You saw what he could do. He's a hard runner, and he gives you everything he's got every single time he touches the football. We're fortunate to have him."

The touchdown run exemplified Peterson's philosophy as a runner.

"If you see 4 yards, you should get 6," he said. "Once they give me the 4, I try to fall forward for another 2."

Peterson sounds like he's ready for the challenge after waiting almost six years.

"I'm confident," he said. "I know all the stuff, so it's just a matter of me going out and doing it."