Who are the Bears' top RB targets if Montgomery is out for a while?
The Bears are optimistic starting running back David Montgomery avoided major injury Wednesday when he slipped and hurt his groin.
The severity of the injury is unknown. A mild groin strain could mean a couple of weeks recovery, while a severe groin strain could put Montgomery out six weeks or more.
If it's a severe groin injury, the Bears could be staring down Week 1 in less than three weeks without their top running back. The remaining four backs on the roster totaled only 83 carries in 2019.
General manager Ryan Pace could be scrambling to find someone who can carry the load Montgomery was expected to carry. The Bears have approximately $17 million in cap space.
If they were to shop around, these are a few potential free agent targets:
Devonta Freeman
Freeman is easily the top free agent running back on the market, though he likely wouldn't come cheap. He reportedly declined an offer from the Seahawks in May.
Freeman, a seven-year veteran, started 14 games for Atlanta last year, rushing for 656 yards and two touchdowns on 184 carries. He's also a capable receiver, catching 59 passes for 410 yards and four touchdowns in 2019.
C.J. Prosise
A former Notre Dame running back, Prosise worked out with the Bears last week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Prosise was plagued by injuries during his four years with Seattle. A former third-round draft pick, he spent parts of 2017, 2018 and 2019 on injured reserve. Prosise rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in 2019, while catching 10 passes for 76 yards.
Spencer Ware
The former Kansas City Chiefs running back had his best season in 2016, when Matt Nagy was his offensive coordinator in Kansas City. Injuries kept Ware off the field for most of the past two seasons. A shoulder injury limited him to three games last season with the Chiefs.
Bilal Powell
The longtime Jets running back is one of the more seasoned options after nine years in New York. Powell appeared in 13 games in 2019, carrying 59 times for 229 yards. In his one start, when Le'Veon Bell was out with an illness, Powell rushed for 74 yards on 19 carries against Miami Dec. 8.
Marshawn Lynch
This one's a long shot. Lynch, 34, told ESPN in May that he was in discussions with the Seahawks. Nothing came of those efforts. In 2019, Lynch came out of retirement to join Seattle for Week 17 and the playoffs, carrying the ball 30 times for 67 yards and four touchdowns.
Potential trade targets
A trade seems much less likely, but here are a couple options out there, should the Bears go that route.
The Jets and running back Le'Veon Bell have been squabbling over scrimmage snaps and what may or may not be a hamstring injury. Bell's contract - a $15 million cap hit in 2020 - would be a hurdle and the asking price is probably too high. Denver's Royce Freeman has become buried in the Broncos backfield. His usage dwindled throughout 2019.
Jacksonville reportedly shopped around Leonard Fournette in the spring, but Jacksonville's asking price is likely very high. Indianapolis already had a dearth of running backs before it added Jonathan Taylor in the draft. Could the Colts be willing to part with a back like, say, Jordan Wilkins?