Bears running back Matt Forte leaves game with knee injury

CHICAGO --Bears running back Matt Forte left Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings with a right knee injury.

"They did the evaluation and they have an idea, but I hate to speculate until they get medical evidence," Chicago coach John Fox said. "We'll keep you posted on that."

Forte walked back to the locker room under his own power at 8:28 of the third quarter after being examined on the sideline by the Bears' medical staff.

Forte, 29, injured the knee on an 8-yard reception in the third quarter. He appeared to land awkwardly on the Soldier Field turf when tackled by Minnesota safetyHarrison Smith.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection finished the game with 69 all-purpose yards. In the final year of his contract, Forte leads all NFL running backs in yards from scrimmage since 2008. He is the Bears' second all-time leading rusher behind Hall of Famer Walter Payton.

Rookie fourth-round pickJeremy Langfordreplaced Forte in the Bears' backfield for the remainder of the second half.

Langford rushed for 46 yards on 12 attempts but dropped a crucial third-down pass on the Bears' final drive of the game.

"He's going to be a heck of a player for us," Bears quarterbackJay Cutlersaid. "I told him that one play doesn't win or lose a football game. I don't care what game it is, and that one [drop] didn't win or lose our game."

Bears tight endMartellus Bennettsaid the locker room is behind Langford.

"He's been doing very well," Bennett said. "He ran the ball well today. He runs the ball hard and he's fast. He's been watching everything that Matt does. Early in your career when you have a guy like Matt in front of you, the best thing you can do is be an apprentice and watch everything he does and carry yourself like he does. Forte is a hell of a back and a hell of a guy. He is somebody you want to model your game after. I think Jeremy is doing a good job. He's always with Matt and asking Matt questions. We have a lot of confidence in Jeremy moving forward.

"There's only one Matt Forte in the NFL, but we don't feel like we lose much when Jeremy is in the game.