Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice Wednesday. Barber was originally expected to give it a go today, but apparently couldn't get loose. Severely out-played by Kahlil Bell since Matt Forte was lost for the season, Barber will only be used in change-of-pace role if he's active for Week 17.

Bears coach Lovie Smith expressed frustration Monday with Marion Barber's proneness to injuries. "It's a concern always when a player has missed time," said Smith. "He's been a player who's been injured quite a bit." Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune speculates Barber will have "an awful hard time" being the Bears' No. 2 back next season. Kahlil Bell has passed him on the depth chart, making it questionable to doubtful that the Bears would pay Barber's $2.25M in salary and bonuses.

The Chicago Tribune reports Marion Barber (calf) will sit out Saturday's game in Green Bay. Barber's absence leaves Kahlil Bell as the primary ball-carrier and potential three-down back. "There are bigger concerns I have, and Kahlil is not one of them," coach Lovie Smith said. "... I'm excited about the opportunity he has." A candidate for 20+ touches, Bell is now a top-25 fantasy option for Week 16.

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice for the second straight day Thursday. Barber has an extra day to get back on the practice field with the Bears playing in this week's only Sunday game, but all signs are pointing toward Kahlil Bell operating as Chicago's lead back against the Packers' 12th ranked run defense. Bell is Rotoworld's 34th ranked running back for Week 16, while Barber is 38th.

Marion Barber (calf) was held out of Bears practice Wednesday.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes the Bears will use a 60:40 backfield split between Marion Barber and Kahlil Bell. "Hot hand gets the carries," writes Biggs. Barber has had a bigger workload all year than Bell, so we'd expect the former to end up with more rushing attempts. Bell could turn out to be more productive in PPR leagues, however, as he'll play more in passing situations. Barber is still the preferred flex option in non-PPR fantasy football leagues.

Carrying the load after Matt Forte went down early with a knee injury, Marion Barber rushed 14 times for 44 yards in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs. Barber again appeared to have plenty of life left in his 28-year-old legs, but could only do so much against a Chiefs defense free to stack the box with Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie posing no downfield threat. Seven of Barber's 14 rushes ended up going for fewer than four yards, while he was stopped for a loss or no gain four times. Barber's worth an add in all formats with Forte likely to miss Week 14, but will find things extremely tough going against a stout Seahawks' run defense that won't have to respect the pass.

Marion Barber rushed 13 times for 27 yards in the Bears' Week 10 win over the Lions. Barber didn't find the end zone, but saw an increase in carries with the Bears sitting on a massive lead. It's worth noting that Matt Forte -- not Barber -- scored from six yards out in the first quarter on a carry deep in the red zone. Barber will probably remain the favorite for Chicago's goal-line work going forward, but it's no longer a lock and he won't be a Week 11 fantasy option.

Marion Barber rushed the ball nine times for 31 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' Week 10 win over the Eagles. He added one catch for eight yards, as well. Having seen just six rushing attempts all season, he got the extra work because the Bears burrowed themselves near the goal line more than usual. Matt Forte also lost a handful of snaps due to his newfound case of the fumbles. Barber now has a touchdown in four of the five games he has played in this year, and should be owned in touchdown-only formats.

Marion Barber carried the ball six times for 39 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Bucs. Twenty nine of Barber's 39 yards came on one carry, while he capped the Bears' opening drive of the second half with a 12-yard score. His other four carries went for zero, one, zero and negative-three yards. However, Barber has now found the end zone in three of his first four games this season, and is worth an own in touchdown-only leagues.