Bears running back David Montgomery returned to practice on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since exiting a Sept. 25 win over the Texans with an ankle injury.
Montgomery, who has missed one game, is unsure whether he'll play Sunday against the Vikings in Minnesota, saying: "It's a day-by-day, game-time decision, so we'll see what it's like on Sunday."
Asked about the progress he's making, Montgomery said: "I'm always encouraged every opportunity I get to get around the guys and [was] super encouraged to be out there practicing with the guys today."
The 2019 third-round pick from Iowa State has rushed for 159 yards on 35 carries this season. He was injured in the first quarter against the Texans after running for 122 yards on 15 attempts a week earlier versus the Packers in Green Bay.
Last season Montgomery led the Bears in rushing for the third straight year, running for 849 yards and seven touchdowns on 225 carries, despite missing four midseason games with a knee injury.
"This is a game where it's inevitable that you are going to get hurt at some point," he said. "I dealt with an injury last year. You've just got to take a step back and process what needs to be processed, and you just take one day at a time and try to get yourself better so you can be in the best shape and be the best version of yourself that you can be when you return."
