The Chicago Bears will face their toughest opponent yet in the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Soldier Field with first place for the NFC North Division on the line. The Bears have been battling injuries as they will be without their two best running back in David Montgomery and Damien Williams due to injuries and a COVID positive test. It will be up to running backs rookie Khalil Herbert and four-year veteran Ryan Nall to shoulder the load against the Packers, with Nall’s having a chance to join Bears’ fans fandom.

Bears RB Damien Williams has been placed on the Reserver/COVID-19 list. That leaves Khalil Herbert as the next man up in the backfield.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 14, 2021

Nall’s Tenure With The Bears Is Similar To Other Success Stories

Although Nall has been with the Chicago Bears since 2018, he has only played in eight games during his four-year career. The reason why the former Oregon State running back has stuck around with Chicago is due to his success in several of the past preseasons. During the 2018 and 2019 preseasons, Nall consistently flashed on offense as he picked up a +30-yard rushing attempt in multiple games and was an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield. Last season against the Titans, the 24-year old running back caught four passes for 35 yards and touchdown in a 24-17 loss. All four of Nall’s catches came in the fourth quarter as the Titans’ defense allowed the Bears’ offense freedom to throw underneath.

On first-and-30 after two penalties, Ryan Nall breaks loose for a 69-yard gain to the Indianapolis 21. Interestingly, Nall also had a 69-yard run in the preseason last summer against the Bengals.

— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) August 25, 2019

Unlike most of the Bears’ running backs, Nall provides a change of pace as he is more of a physical running back than a finesse back. Chicago has not had a purely physical running back since Jordan Howard in 2018. Howard was most effective in between the tackles and was able to grind out the tough yards. Nall is the biggest back currently on the Bears as he is 6’2 and weighs 239 pounds. Against the Packers on Sunday, Chicago’s offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will have the chance to change the pace with the running game as he can deploy two running backs with two different running styles.

If the Bears are victorious and Nall has a contributing role, Chicago fans will instantly brace the four-year running back and demand more playing time for him. Bears’ fans are notorious for embracing players who perform well consistently during the preseason but don’t get playing time in the regular season. Whether it is the backup quarterback, fourth-string running back, and under-utilized wide receiver, Bears’ fans love to root for the underdog player. A prime example is former Chicago wide receiver Tom Waddle, an unofficial Bears’ legend and who owes his post-playing career success to his six-year career with the Bears.

What is "The Tom Waddle Game"? Our man @TWaddle87 filled us in: Bears-Vikes, W1 1991.

This was Waddle's:

* First multi-catch game
* First touchdown
* Then-high in yards

Thanks for sharing Tom!@WaddleandSilvy @thekapman @WCGridiron @SamHouseholder https://t.co/YTSmHwogei pic.twitter.com/HAYmorQnqp

— Jack M Silverstein (@readjack) October 16, 2020

Furthermore, there have been several instances of journeymen running backs starting for the Bears in emergency situations that led to success. In 2003, rookie running back Brock Forsey from Boise state started two games for Chicago. In those two games, Forsey rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Eight years later, running back Khalil Bell had a career night against the Packers on Christmas Night. With running backs Matt Forte and Marion Barber out with injuries, Bell rushed for 121 yards against a 13-win Packer team.

Lazor’s Game Plan Could Benefit Nall

Since Lazor took over play-calling duties from head coach Matt Nagy in week four against the Lions, the Bears have found renewed success running the ball. In Chicago’s last two wins, the offense has averaged 159 rushing yards. Lazor has had two running backs rush for 50 yards or more in each of the previous two Bears’ wins against the Lions and Raiders. The reason for the commitment to the running back is to take the pressure off rookie quarterback Justin Fields and allow Fields shorter throws to pick up potential first downs.

Against the Packers, Lazor will lean on the running game to compliment the Bears’ defense and keep Packers’ Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers off the field. If Chicago’s offense can jump out to an early lead, it would not be surprising to see Lazor give Herbert and Nall several carries with the attempt to eat up the clock. Chicago’s offensive game plan could also call for several passing-plays that enable Fields to use his mobility with the option of throwing to his running backs, if open.

TOUCHDOWN BEARS!!

Ryan Nall muscles it home for 6!#BearDown | @Ryannall34 pic.twitter.com/dKIcdUeMrn

— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr23) November 8, 2020

Nall likely won’t have an explosive game against the Packers, but he does have a chance to have a productive given how Lazor has utilized running backs the last few weeks. For the Bears to beat the Packers on Sunday, they will need to have at least 100 rushing yards from their running backs. Nall has impressed in the preseason and has shown a capability of playing at the NFL level during his limited time in the regular season, but his best chance to make a name for himself will come Sunday against the Packers.