Langford says he's ready to step up if Forte is hobbled

After Matt Forte was sidelined early in the third quarter with a right knee injury, rookie Jeremy Langford stepped in and rushed for 46 yards on 12 carries, his most extended playing time of the season.

Langford had just 15 carries for 34 yards in the first six games, but he could see a lot more playing time with the extent of Forte's injury uncertain.

"I feel like I'm always ready to go in there and play whenever my number is called because I'm on special teams and I do a lot of running," the fourth-round pick from Michigan State said. "I'm always attuned to the game when (Forte) is in there as well."

Langford had a costly third-down drop on the final possession that would have given the Bears a first down at their 34-yard line, but they were forced to punt.

"That's on me," he said. "I have to do a better job of catching the ball first before trying to run. Cutler did a good job of getting out of the pocket and getting the ball to me. I just have to make that play."

Coach John Fox didn't offer an update on Forte.

"They did the evaluation, and they have an idea," Fox said. "But I hate to speculate until they get medical evidence."

Wide receiver Eddie Royal (left knee) and nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan also were unable to finish.

Not very special:

The Vikings erased an early Bears lead when Marcus Sherels went 65 yards with a punt-return TD for a 7-3 lead with 3:37 remaining in the first quarter.

It was the third kick-return touchdown the Bears have allowed this season, including kickoff returns of 108 and 105 yards, in Week 2 and 3, respectively.

"Well, they practice and get paid, too," coach John Fox said. "That's why you play the game. We probably didn't contain as well as we should have from the left side in two areas, without naming names. Like all plays that don't work, they weren't executed as well as they need to be."

Go-to guy:

Alshon Jeffery had his second straight 100-yard receiving game after missing four games with a hamstring injury.

Jeffery had a 21-yard TD grab among his 10 catches for 116 yards, but he credited quarterback Jay Cutler with the touchdown.

"It was a better throw than my route, actually," Forte said. "He just threw it up and gave me a chance. It was a double move, but the corner (Xavier Rhodes) didn't bite. It was a great throw, and I made a great catch."

He's human: Robbie Gould's 17th straight field goal without a miss this season, a 33-yarder, gave the Bears a 13-10 lead with 8:28 remaining in the third quarter.

But Gould missed an opportunity to increase the lead when he was wide left from 51 yards out with 1:52 left in the third. Gould's 55-yard field goal, his longest of the season, got the Bears on the board first just 4:04 into the game.

At long last:

Cornerback Kyle Fuller's interception near the end of the first half was the first pick by a Bears defensive back this season.

It set up Alshon Jeffery's 21-yard TD grab with 42 seconds left that sent the Bears into the half tied at 10.

Shuffling crew:

Sunday's O-line was the fourth different one the Bears have started through seven games.

With rookie center Hroniss Grasu (neck) out, left guard Matt Slauson moved into the middle. Vlad Ducasse, who started the first six games at right guard, moved to left guard, while Patrick Omameh made his first Bears start at right guard.

Charles Leno started his fourth straight game in place of Jermon Bushrod (shoulder) and Kyle Long started his seventh straight at right tackle. Long is the only offensive lineman to start every game at the same position.

Sitting it out:

Rookie center Hroniss Grasu (neck) was inactive and replaced by left guard Matt Slauson.

Offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod (shoulder)was inactive for the fourth straight game and linebacker Shea McClellin (knee) for a second game in a row.

Charles Leno started again for Bushrod, and LaRoy Reynolds filled in for McClellin.

The other inactives were cornerback Terrance Mitchell, running back Ka'Deem Carey, defensive lineman Bruce Gaston and wide receiver Cam Meredith.

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