LITTLE ROCK — BEARS
Forte out
LAKE FOREST, Ill. - Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte will sit out the Chicago Bears’ game against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday because of a sprained right ankle.
Coach Lovie Smith said Friday that Forte “is making a lot of progress,” but isn’t ready to play. Forte went to the locker room midway through the third quarter of last week’s loss at Green Bay after he appeared to twist his right ankle while being tackled by Charles Woodson. That leaves Chicago without one of its top offensive players.
He also missed the final four games last season because of a sprained collateral ligament in his right knee.
With Forte out, Michael Bush figures to be the primary ball carrier on Sunday. And, he gets a chance to show he’s more than a power, short yardage back, and that he can produce between the 20-yard lines.
“Hopefully I can get people to get that knock off me about not being an every-down back,” said Bush, who signed a four-year deal with the Bears after running for 977 yards with Oakland last season. “I can’t please everybody. It’s a business. It is what it is. You don’t like me, so what? I’m going to keep playing hard.”
Bush also believes he has something to prove to the coaches.
“The more I get to play, the more I get to show them,” he said. “The more they trust in me, believe in me and give me more opportunities. For the most part I know they’re behind my back regardless. That’s a good thing.”
Besides ruling out Forte, the Bears also listed defensive end Julius Peppers as probable.
He sat out Wednesday’s practice because of a foot problem, but was listed as a full participant on Thursday and Friday.
PANTHERS
Smith unhappy with QB
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith said he “lit into” Cam Newton about his actions on the sidelines when the quarterback was replaced late in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s 36-7 blowout loss to the New York Giants.
Smith says he was upset when Newton remained sitting on the bench instead of watching backup Derek Anderson and trying to learn from his own mistakes.
Smith says he called Newton out so he could “understand this is more than about playing football, it’s about becoming a man and understanding this is what it’s about.”
Smith says he hopes the lesson will pay off for Newton down the road.
The 23-year old Newton has taken losses hard in the past and Smith said it’s time for the quarterback to better handle adversity.
GIANTS
Phillips fined $30,000
NEW YORK - Safety Kenny Phillips has been fined $30,000 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness, one of four New York Giants disciplined for their conduct in last Sunday’s victory over Tampa Bay.
Phillips, a repeat offender who also was fined last season, drew a fine for striking defenseless Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Vincent Jackson on a pass play. No penalty flag was thrown.
Other Giants disciplined were running back Andre Brown, $15,750 for a horse-collar tackle on Brandon McDonald during an interception return; and offensive linemen David Baas and Kevin Boothe, fined $7,875 for unnecessary roughness at the end of the game when the Buccaneers plowed into the line as quarterback Eli Manning was taking a knee.
Fined $21,000 were Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons for helmet-to-helmet contact with New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez; New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo for hitting defenseless Arizona Cardinals receiver Early Doucet in the head and neck; and Buffalo Bills safety Da’Norris Searcy for the same offense against Kansas City Chiefs tight end Kevin Boss.
REDSKINS
Garcon doubtful
ASHBURN, Va. - Washington Redskins receiver Pierre Garcon appears likely to miss his second consecutive game with a sore right foot. Garcon was limited in practice again Friday and listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Aldrick Robinson started in place of Garcon last week and caught three passes for 40 yards.
Safety Brandon Meriweather was also limited in practice with a sprained left knee. Meriweather sat out the first two games and is listed as questionable.
Cornerback Josh Wilson is listed as probable. He left last week’s game with a concussion but has been cleared for contact.
Sports, Pages 30 on 09/22/2012