Bears rookie RB Trestan Ebner could get increased role

Chicago Bears rookie running back Trestan Ebner saw his workload increase earlier this season when David Montgomery missed the team’s Week 4 game against the New York Giants. Ebner is again in line for more snaps with the recent injury to Khalil Herbert. 

With strong showings, Ebner can solidify his spot on the roster this season and beyond.

The Bears placed Herbert on injured reserve Tuesday following a hip injury that he suffered in Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. He will miss at least four games. Herbert leads Bears running backs in total yards, and his 643 yards rushing put him 11th in the NFL.

Ebner’s season high in rushing attempts and rushing yards came in a Week 3 game against the Texans in Houston. The rookie rushed seven times for 23 yards, splitting carries with Herbert when Montgomery left with an ankle injury after just three carries.

The following week, with Montgomery sidelined, Ebner carried six times for 20 yards and hauled in two of his three targets for eight yards receiving. Ebner fumbled twice in that game, losing one. He played only four snaps over the next two games. 

With Herbert set to miss significant time, Ebner has a chance to solidify his place in the running backs room through the end of this season and beyond.

In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bears drafted Ebner, a star at Baylor, in the sixth round (203rd overall).

Montgomery is set to become a free agent after this season. If Ebner capitalizes on the opportunities with Herbert out, that could change the Bears' plans for the running backs room.

Ebner knows that he has the talent to make an impact in the NFL. Earlier this season, he said, per Shaw Local's Sean Hammond: “Even now, the game speed is a little faster than preseason for me. It’s just making that adjustment.”

Now is the time to adjust.